Get yourself a New Zealand passport when born overseas

What you need to know

If you were born overseas and at least 1 of your parents was a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant when you were born, you can register as a citizen by descent and get a New Zealand passport.

Who can get it

If you were born overseas and at least 1 of your parents was a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant when you were born, you are a New Zealand citizen by descent. To get yourself a New Zealand passport, you need to register your citizenship. You can order a passport at the same time by ticking a box on the form.

If you are under 16, you apply for citizenship as a child.

Get your child a New Zealand passport when born overseas

What it means to be a citizen by descent

If you are a citizen by descent, you:

  • can travel on a New Zealand passport
  • are entitled to live here indefinitely.

But you can not pass on NZ citizenship to children you have outside NZ.

If you live in NZ for at least 5 years, you can change your citizenship to become a citizen by grant.

To become a citizen by grant, you need to apply.

How to apply for NZ citzenship by grant

Getting a New Zealand passport

You can order a New Zealand passport at the same time as you register your citizenship by descent.

How long it takes

It takes up to 30 working days to process a complete application to register your citizenship and order a passport.

You can make an urgent application. This costs more and takes up to 10 working days.

You can not make an urgent application if your case involves an overseas adoption.

What it costs

Registering your citizenship by descent and ordering a passport costs NZD$360.92, AUD$407 or GBP£234.

Forms

Application for New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport — adult (PDF 1.1MB)

Application for New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport — adult accessible alternative (txt 21KB)

How you apply

Once you turn 16, you apply for citizenship as an adult.

If you were born before 1978

The process is different if you were born before 1978. Talk to the Citizenship Office about what you need to do.

Phone: +64 4 463 9361 (outside NZ)

Freephone: 0800 22 51 51 (NZ only)

Email: citizenship@dia.govt.nz

1. Documents you need

You must bring or send original documents — not copies.

You need to include these 3 documents with your application:

  • your full birth certificate with your parents' names
  • your current passport or photo ID
  • 2 passport photos that meet the photo requirements.

Passport photos

If you do not have your full birth certificate, you need to get it from the country where you were born.

If you do not have a passport

If you do not have a current passport, you can send another photo ID or a certified copy of your current driver licence. If you do not have a current photo ID, include a note with your application explaining why.

To get a certified copy, you must have your original document copied, stamped and initialled by:

  • a staff member at a Department of Internal Affairs public counter in Auckland, Manukau, Christchurch or Wellington
  • an authorised staff member at a New Zealand embassy or consulate
  • a police officer
  • a court registrar.

If you changed your name or were adopted

If you have ever changed your name outside New Zealand, include name change documents like a marriage or civil union certificate.

If you were adopted outside NZ, talk to the Citizenship Office about what you need to do.

Phone: +64 4 463 9361 (outside NZ)

Freephone: 0800 22 51 51 (NZ only)

Email: citizenship@dia.govt.nz

If you have changed your gender identity

You can choose to have a different gender on your citizenship certificate than what is shown on your birth certificate.

Choosing the gender on your citizenship record

If your documents are not in English

There are 2 ways you can get your documents translated.

1. Get the documents translated by a translation agency in New Zealand or get the Citizenship Office to organise the translation for you.

Send the Citizenship Office your original documents with a note saying which documents need to be translated.

To translate only the information that is needed, it costs NZD$75 for each document. If you use the office in Sydney or London, it costs AUD$65 or GBP£35 for each document.

Adoption documents might cost more to translate. Contact the Translation Service for a quote before you send in your application.

Translation Service contact information

2. Get the documents translated by a government agency or court in the country that issued the documents.

2. Complete the application form

Application for NZ citizenship by descent & passport — adult (PDF 1.1MB)

Application for NZ citizenship by descent & passport — adult accessible alternative (txt 21KB)

You need to fill in the application form with both of your parents. Your NZ citizen parent needs to include their most recent New Zealand passport number.

If your parent can not fill in the form

If your parent has died, provide their death certificate.

If you are not in contact with your parent or they can not fill in the form, talk to the Citizenship Office.

Phone: +64 4 463 9361 (outside NZ)

Freephone: 0800 22 51 51 (NZ only)

Email: citizenship@dia.govt.nz

What the witness does

You need to get someone to witness 1 of your passport photos.

The witness fills in the witness section of the application form. They also write your name and the date on the back of 1 of the photos, and then sign it.

The witness must:

  • be over 16
  • have known you for at least 1 year
  • not be related to you or part of your extended family
  • not live in the same house as you.

The witness must also have a current or expired NZ passport, or be:

  • a registered medical professional, like a doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist or physiotherapist
  • a registered teacher, like a primary or secondary teacher or university lecturer
  • a minister of religion
  • a lawyer
  • a police officer
  • a kaumatua
  • your employer.

3. Submit your application form

Send your completed form with your supporting documents and payment to the Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand, Sydney or London.

You can courier, post or deliver the application in person.

Citizenship Offices contact information

4. Pay the fee

ApplicationIf lodged in New ZealandIf lodged in SydneyIf lodged in London
Citizenship NZ$204.40 AUD$192 GBP£110
Citizenship & passport NZ$360.92 AUD$407 GBP£234
Urgent citizenship & passport NZ$517.44 AUD$622 GBP£358


If you want your documents sent to a different country from the one where you lodged your application, you need to add a courier fee.

International courier fees

You can pay by:

  • credit card
  • cheque or money order in NZD, AUD or GBP, depending on which country you are sending your application to
  • cash or EFTPOS if you're delivering your application in person.

After you apply

Getting your documents back

If you bring your application into a Department of Internal Affairs public counter, your original documents are copied, certified and given back to you straight away.

If you post or courier your application, the Citizenship Office couriers your original documents to you with your citizenship certificate and passport, if you applied for one.

If your application is declined, the Citizenship Office sends you a letter and includes your original documents.

When you find out about your application

The Citizenship Office contacts you if they need more information.

If your application is successful, you are couriered your citizenship certificate and passport, if you applied for one.

If your application is declined because you don’t have a claim to NZ citizenship by descent, the Citizenship Office emails you or sends you a letter. You may not get a refund.

Withdrawing your application

You can withdraw your application at any time. You may not get a refund.

Print whole guide

Have your say about this page

Is there something wrong with this page?

Last Updated

Page last updated: