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
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.
After 1 March it will cost NZD$370/49, $AUD418 or GBP£236.
Forms
Application for New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport — adult (PDF 1.1MB)
£
How you apply
Once you turn 16, you apply for citizenship as an adult.
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.
If you do not have your full birth certificate, you need to get it from the country where you were born.
2. Complete the application form
Application for NZ citizenship by descent and passport — adult (PDF 1.1MB)
Application for NZ citizenship by descent and 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.
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
| Application | If lodged in New Zealand | If lodged in Sydney | If 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 |
| After 1 March the cost for New Zealand passports increase | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | If lodged in New Zealand | If lodged in Sydney | If lodged in London |
| Citizenship | NZ$204.40 | AUD$192 | GBP£110 |
| Citizenship and passport | NZ$370.49 | AUD$418 | GBP£236 |
| Urgent citizenship & passport | NZ$536.58 | AUD$644 | GBP£362 |
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.
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.
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