New Zealand Citizenship Documents Required

New Zealand Citizenship Documents Required

                                      


The applicant must provide:

• Birth certificate
• Adoption order, if applicable
• Change of name document(s), if applicable
• Passport or other photographic state-issued identification, if applicable
• Evidence of name used in the community

Also the claim parent must provide:

• Change of name document(s), if applicable
• Deeds of paternity, if applicable
• Proof of New Zealand citizenship, if applicable
• Passport or other photographic state-issued identification, if applicable
• Applicant's birth certificate
• This document records the applicant’s name, place and date of birth and their parent(s) names. This document is required in all cases.

Applicant's passport
If the applicant does not have a passport, they must provide alternative state-issued photographic identification.

Applicant’s adoption order
This is required where the person being registered has been adopted outside of New Zealand.

Claim parent’s passport or state-issued identification
If the claim parent does not have a passport they must provide alternative state-issued photographic identification.

Change of name documents
Any official change of name documents are required (e.g. marriage certificate for change through marriage, deed poll certificate) where applicable. Please note that you will not need to send documents if the claim parent or applicant was born in New Zealand and changed their name in New Zealand or if the marriage took place in New Zealand.

Evidence of name used in the community
Please provide two other forms of evidence showing that the applicant or claim parent uses the name on their identification documentation. Evidence may include:

Current utility account (e.g. telephone, electricity) issued within the last 12 months.

• Current drivers licence.
• Proof of their name on an electoral roll.
• Current photo identification cards.
• Bank or tax statements issued within the last 12 months.
• Current cards issued for Government services.

Claim parents proof of citizenship
You will not need to send documents if the claim parent:
was born in New Zealand; or has New Zealand citizenship by grant; or has confirmation of New Zealand citizenship by other means. You will need to send documents if the claim parent:
was born in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau.

Deeds of paternity
Establishing paternity is the legal term for determining who is the father of a child under New Zealand law.

If the claim to New Zealand citizenship by descent is through the mother then it is not necessary to establish who the father is. But if paternity is not established then the father's name will not be added to our records.

If the claim to New Zealand citizenship by descent is through the father, then we must establish paternity. In general, a person’s father is assumed to be the man named on a person’s birth certificate.

If the applicant’s father is not named on their birth certificate, and the claim for citizenship is through the father, paternity will need to be established. Paternity is normally established by the completion of deeds of paternity by both parents.

The current passports of both parents are required in all cases where deeds of paternity are completed.