Get proof you are a citizen

If you have lost or damaged your New Zealand birth certificate or your citizenship certificate, you can apply for a replacement or call to check your certificate number.

Get your citizenship certificate number

If you need your citizenship certificate number, but you do not need a copy of the certificate, you can call the citizenship contact centre on 0800 22 51 51. It is free to find out your certificate number.

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.

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

Apply for a confirmation of your New Zealand citizenship

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:

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.

Utility links and page information

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