When does your child need an IRD number?

You need to apply for an IRD number for your child if they’re under 16 and:

• working part-time
• earning interest on their bank balance or an investment.

Or if your child is under 18 and:

• you’re registering for Working for Families (if you don’t supply IRD numbers for your children, payments will stop after 8 weeks)

• you're applying for child support.

If you’re having a baby, you can apply for their IRD number when you register their birth.

Get a birth certificate

Get an IRD number for your child who's under 16

1. Complete an IRD number application form

IR595 - apply for an individual IRD number 

2. Proof of ID for your child

For your child, you’ll need any one of the following:

• NZ or Australian passport (photocopy the picture page)
• full NZ birth certificate issued after 1 January 1998
• NZ citizenship certificate
• overseas passport with NZ immigration visa or permit (photocopy the picture/signature page and any NZ residency permits)
• NZ certificate of identity or refugee travel, or emergency travel document
• NZ student photo ID.

Proof of your relationship with your child

If your documents don’t show the relationship between you and your child (like a birth certificate), you’ll also need to bring ones that do eg:

• adoption papers
• parenting orders
• guardianship orders
• statutory declaration form.

3. ID for yourself

You need 2 different kinds of ID. To get your ID verified you'll need to show the original document and provide a clear photocopy.

One of these:

• NZ or Australian passport (photocopy the picture page)
• full NZ birth certificate that was issued after 1 January 1998
• NZ citizenship certificate
• overseas passport with NZ immigration visa or permit (photocopy the picture/signature page and any NZ work or residency permits)
• NZ firearms or dealer’s licence
• NZ certificate of identity or refugee travel document.

And one of these:

• NZ driver licence
• NZ 18+ card
• NZ student photo ID
• overseas driver licence (with an authorised English translation if it’s not in English)
• international driver’s permit
• an offer of employment letter from your employer on company letterhead (only if your first form of ID has a photo on it)
• a letter confirming you’re registered as a student in NZ (only if your first form of ID has a photo on it).

4. If you’ve changed your name

If any of your documents are in another name, you’ll also need to bring an original and a clear photocopy of a document proving your name change, like:

• a marriage or civil union certificate
• a name change certificate.

5. Take your form and documents to be verified

You can take your form and your supporting documentation (with a clear photocopy) to one of the following:

• AA driver licensing agent
• PostShop

They’ll verify your documents and give you back the originals.  Your form will then be sent to IRD.

6. What happens next

You’ll get your child’s IRD number in 8-10 working days.