Official form guide
Form 1399: Declaration of Service
Form 1399 – Declaration of Service is a Department of Home Affairs document used to collect details about any past or current military, paramilitary, security, police, detention or similar service when you apply for an Australian visa or citizenship. It helps the Department assess the character requirements of your application.
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Form Overview
Home Affairs Form 1399 - Declaration of Service
Form 1399 – Declaration of Service is a Department of Home Affairs document used to collect details about any past or current military, paramilitary, security, police, detention or similar service when you apply for an Australian visa or citizenship. It helps the Department assess the character requirements of your application.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Leaving a ‘Yes’ answer without the required details is the most common mistake.
- 2Providing incomplete details for a ‘Yes’ answer
- 3Failing to attach required service or discharge documents
- 4Missing the Department’s clarification deadline, leading to a decision without your input
- 5Submitting the form unsigned or with an illegible signature
Plain English
When you apply for a visa or citizenship, the Department wants to know if you have ever served in the armed forces, police, or similar organisations. This form lets you tell them about that service, any operations you took part in, and whether you were discharged. Fill it in clearly and attach any discharge papers or translations.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the completed Declaration of Service at the same time you lodge your visa or citizenship application, before the Department asks for clarification.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- You are applying for an Australian visa or citizenship and have any past or current military, paramilitary, security, police, detention or similar service.
- The Department has asked you specifically to complete Form 1399 as part of the character assessment.
- You need to disclose senior religious, cultural, political or government positions held outside Australia.
- You must provide supporting service documents (e.g., discharge papers, service book) and translations if required.
- You are completing the form in English – either typed in Adobe Acrobat Reader or printed and filled in block letters.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
No service history to declare
Service declaration not required
✓ Verify that the Department has not requested Form 1399
No additional form needed – use your standard visa or citizenship application
General character questions for visa
May be covered by other character declaration forms (e.g., Form 1221)
✓ Check the specific form list in your visa invitation
Need to provide personal particulars for a visa
Typically covered by Form 80 or ImmiAccount fields
✓ Confirm which form the Department requires for your visa subclass
Deadline or filing window
Not confirmed in official source.
Before you submit
- 1All fields in Part A (name, DOB, citizenship, etc.) are completed.
- 2Every ‘Yes’ answer has full details entered in the tables (dates, rank, unit, supervisor, etc.).
- 3All required supporting documents are attached and translated where needed.
- 4Answers are written in English, typed or in block letters if printed.
- 5The declaration statements on privacy, false information and consequences are read and understood.
- 6Signature and date are provided on the final page.
- 7A copy of the completed form and all attachments is kept for your records.
- 8The form is submitted together with your visa or citizenship application via ImmiAccount or as instructed.
How to file this form
- 1Download Form 1399 from the Department of Home Affairs website.
- 2Read the introductory information and privacy notice (Form 1442i).
- 3Complete Part A with your personal details; answer all yes/no questions.
- 4If you answer ‘Yes’, fill the service history table (dates, position, rank, location, unit, supervisor).
- 5Attach all supporting service documents and certified translations.
- 6Sign and date the declaration at the bottom of the form.
- 7Submit the form with your visa or citizenship application (usually via ImmiAccount).
Known limitations
- 1The form only captures service‑related information; other character matters must be addressed on separate forms.
- 2It must be completed in English; other languages are not accepted.
- 3If printed, answers must be in block letters; handwritten cursive may be rejected.
- 4Translations are required for any non‑English supporting documents.
- 5The form is not a substitute for the main visa or citizenship application.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
3 items
Your name exactly as shown in your passport.
Your date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
Passport number, country of issue, and expiry date.
Contact
1 items
Current residential address, postal address, email, and phone number.
Request
1 items
The visa, citizenship, or sponsorship request this form relates to.
Evidence
1 items
Certified copies of identity and other documents required for the request.
Declaration
1 items
Declare that the information is true and correct, then sign and date.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 1399 – Declaration of Service was designed in September 2020 and remains the current version unless a newer design date is published. No recent amendment has been noted in the source.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the design date reads 09/20 (September 2020).
- Check that the privacy notice reference (Form 1442i) is included.
- Verify you have space for extra pages in Part E if needed.
- Ensure you have the required supporting documents and translations ready.
- Confirm you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader or printing for block‑letter entry.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm number and name: 1399Declaration of Service (source page 1).
- SRCAuthority: Department of Home Affairs under Migration Act 1958 and Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (source page 1).
- SRCPrivacy notice reference: Form 1442i (source page 1).
- SRCDesign date: 09/20 (source page 1 and 12).
- SRCRequirement to attach supporting documents and translations for service history (source page 28).
- SRCDeclaration statements about false information consequences for visa and citizenship applicants (source page 12).
- SRCSignature and date field required (source page 12).
- SRCInstruction to use Adobe Acrobat Reader or print in block letters (source page 1).
Common confusion points
Whether to include positions held in Australia – senior religious or cultural roles in Australia are excluded.
What counts as “service” – includes military, paramilitary, police, detention or similar organisations abroad.
How to format extra information – use Part E or attach additional pages, not the margins.
When translations are needed – any non‑English supporting document must be accompanied by an English translation.
Difference between ‘member or supporter’ and ‘still a member or supporter’ – both require full details if answered ‘Yes’.
Block‑letter requirement for printed forms – typing is allowed in Adobe Reader, otherwise use block letters.
Understanding the privacy notice reference (Form 1442i) – you do not need to attach it, just read it.
Source transparency
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