Apply for NZ citizenship

Complete and submit your application for New Zealand citizenship by grant.

As part of an upcoming upgrade to the online service, we will be deleting draft unsubmitted applications that have not been accessed in more than 90 days.

If you have not accessed your draft application in more than 90 days and you do not submit it before 17 February 2025, you will need to start your application again.

Cost

The fee to apply for New Zealand citizenship is:

  • $470.20 for adults aged 16 and over
  • $235.10 for children aged 15 and under.

Apply online

Checklist before you apply

Make sure you have:

  • a login using RealMe — if you do not have one, you will be prompted to create a login before you begin your application
  • a device with internet access and a camera, such as a cellphone, tablet or computer — you will need this to complete an identity check
  • an identity referee
  • digital copies of your photo and documents
  • a credit or debit card to pay the fee.

Find out everything you need to prepare before you apply:

What to get ready before you apply for NZ citizenship

Apply online for NZ citizenship

Apply in person or by post

Checklist before you apply

Make sure you have:

  • your completed application form
  • a witness
  • your original documents
  • 2 identical photos
  • a payment card to pay the fee.

Find out everything you need to prepare before you apply:

What to get ready before you apply for NZ citizenship

Download your form

If you are an adult

If you are an adult aged 16 or over, you can apply online – or in person or by post, using the form below.

If you are applying for a child

If you are applying for a child aged 15 or under, you can apply online – or in person or by post using the form below.

If you are from Samoa

If you are a citizen of Samoa, you were born on or after 1 January 1949, and you speak English, you can apply online.

If you would prefer to apply in person or by post, or if you want the Samoan language form, download the appropriate PDF below.

If you were born in Samoa before 1 January 1949, you need to apply for NZ citizenship using a different form – you cannot use the online service. Visit this page to download the application form:

Apply for NZ citizenship if born in Samoa before 1949

Apply

Apply in person

You need to make an appointment to meet with a staff member who:

  • checks your application form
  • accepts your application fee.

Make an appointment

You can make an appointment to apply in person at 1 of our 3 public counters. Phone or email to make an appointment:

Apply by post

Note:

You must send your original documents in a tracked courier bag.

Post your form, photos, documents and payment to:

Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 10680
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Your documents are couriered back to you after about 4 to 6 weeks.

If you are a citizen by descent:

If you were born outside New Zealand and at least one of your parents was a New Zealand citizen at the time of your birth, you need to register your citizenship to get your certificate.

Register as a citizen by descent

If you are Samoan

There are 2 ways to apply for a grant of citizenship, depending on when and where you were born.

Utility links and page information

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