Get proof you're a citizen

If you have lost your NZ citizenship certificate or you don't have it, you can apply for a replacement certificate or a confirmation of citizenship.

What you need to know

You can use your citizenship certificate to prove you're a New Zealand citizen by grant or descent. If you don't have it, you can apply for a:

  • replacement citizenship certificate
  • certified copy of descent registration certificate
  • confirmation of NZ citizenship.

To get proof you are a New Zealand citizen by descent, you need to be registered.

If you have not registered your citizenship by descent

You register your citizenship by completing the Application for New Zealand Citizenship by Descent and Passport form.

In the form, you can choose to:

  • register your citizenship, or
  • register your citizenship and order a passport.

Register as a citizen by descent and get a passport

Forms

Application for replacement of a New Zealand citizenship certificate (PDF 1.2MB)

Application for replacement of a New Zealand citizenship certificate accessible alternative (txt 9KB)

Application for certified copy of descent registration certificate (PDF 738KB)

Application for certified copy of descent registration certificate accessible alternative (txt 8KB)

Application for confirmation of New Zealand citizenship by grant (PDF 668KB)

Application for confirmation of New Zealand citizenship by grant accessible alternative (txt 7KB)

Proving you're a citizen if you were born in NZ

If you were born in NZ, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, you can prove you're a citizen using your birth certificate or NZ passport.

Get a birth certificate

Get or renew an NZ passport

If you were born before 2006 in NZ or the Cook Islands, your birth certificate doesn't show your citizenship. Most authorities will accept it as proof of citizenship anyway, but if they don’t you can get a confirmation of birth in New Zealand certificate to prove you’re a citizen.

Application for confirmation of birth in New Zealand (PDF 480KB)

Application for confirmation of birth in New Zealand accessible alternative (txt 9KB)

This costs $112.40.

You’ll need to include:

  • your original full birth certificate
  • 2 passport photos that meet the photo requirements
  • original documents showing any times you’ve changed your name.

Passport photos

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

Documents you need

You need to include 2 passport photos that meet the photo requirements.

Passport photos

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

What it costs

Each document costs $112.40. You can pay by cheque, bank draft or credit card.

Submit the form

Post:

The Citizenship Office
Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 10680
Wellington 6143
New Zealand

What happens next

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

Print

Have your say about this page

Is there something wrong with this page?

Last Updated

Page last updated: