Requirements if you are a child
Children do not have to meet all the same requirements as adults to get New Zealand citizenship.
Children aged 15 and under
Children aged 15 and under do not need to have spent a specific amount of time in New Zealand during the last 5 years if:
- a parent is applying at the same time who meets the presence in New Zealand requirements, or
- one of their parents is already a New Zealand citizen.
Children aged 15 and under still must:
- have the right to live here indefinitely, and
- intend to stay here after they get citizenship.
Children aged 14 and 15
Children aged 14 and 15 still need to meet the language and character requirements.
Children aged 13 and under
Children aged 13 and under do not need to speak English or prove they are of good character.
Children applying alone
If a child is applying alone and does not have a parent with NZ citizenship, the child needs to have been in New Zealand with resident status for 8 months or more in each of the past 5 years.
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