Validity:COI
Intention to travel, maximum 3 years validity:COI
A Certificate of Identity (COI) is only issued where a definite intention to travel is established. The Australian Passports Determination 2005, Section 6.2 has set the validity of a COI to a maximum of three years.
Holder COI has returned to own country
A Certificate of Identity (COI) is not to be revalidated overseas where the holder has:
- returned to their own country of citizenship, and
- has the ability to apply for and be issued with a national travel document.
In these cases the document is, under the Australian Passports Determination, Section 6.2, considered an invalid document and should be demanded up if the circumstances present themselves.
Revalidation or extension of a COI
Requests for a Certificate of Identity (COI) to be revalidated at an overseas post are to be referred to the Canberra for approval provided the applicant continues to be stateless, a refugee or has a valid protection Class BA subclass 202 Global Special Humanitarian, Special Assistance Category 208–217 visa or a Protection (Subclass 866) visa.
However, before returning an application for revalidating a COI the post must be satisfied that a document cannot be obtained from the applicant’s country of nationality.
Revalidations must not extend the life beyond five years of the original date of issue.