If you were born in New Zealand

Use these forms if you were born in New Zealand.

Born in 2005 or earlier

If you were born in 2005 or earlier in New Zealand or the Cook Islands, your birth certificate does not show your citizenship. You can use the Confirmation of Birth certificate to prove you are a New Zealand citizen.

• Application for Confirmation of Birth in New Zealand (PDF 484KB)
• Application for Confirmation of Birth in New Zealand — accessible alternative (TXT 9KB)

This costs $112.40.

You need to include:

• your original full birth certificate
• original documents showing any other names you have used in your lifetime, and
• 2 passport photos that meet the photo requirements.

Passport photo requirements

You will get the certificate in the post after about 15 working days.

Born in 2006 or later

If you were born in 2006 or later in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, you can use your birth certificate or New Zealand passport to prove you are a citizen.

Order a birth certificate

Get or renew a New Zealand passport

If you were born outside New Zealand

If you were born outside New Zealand, you can use your New Zealand citizenship certificate to prove you are a citizen by grant or by descent.

Use these forms if you were born outside New Zealand.

Apply for a replacement citizenship certificate

• Application for Replacement of a New Zealand Citizenship Certificate (PDF 1.1MB)
• Application for Replacement of a New Zealand Citizenship Certificate — accessible alternative (TXT 8KB)

Apply for a confirmation of your New Zealand citizenship

• Application for Confirmation of New Zealand Citizenship by Grant (PDF 667KB)
• Application for Confirmation of New Zealand Citizenship by Grant — accessible alternative (TXT 7KB)

Apply for a certified copy of your Descent Registration Certificate

If you are a citizen by descent, you need to be registered before you can get proof you are a citizen.

Register as a citizen by descent and get a passport 

If you have already registered your citizenship, complete this form:

• Application for Certified Copy of Descent Registration Certificate (PDF 738KB)
• Application for Certified Copy of Descent Registration Certificate — accessible alternative (TXT 8KB)

What to prepare

Photo

You must include 2 passport photos that meet the photo requirements.

Passport photo requirements

Witness

You also need someone to complete the witness section of your application.

What it costs

Each certificate costs $112.40. 

You can pay by credit, debit or prepaid gift card (for example Prezzy card) by adding your payment details to the form.

Submit the form

Post your form to:

The Citizenship Office
Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 10680
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

What happens next

You will get the certificate in the post after about 20 working days.

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

• Citizenship office

  Contact and agency details