The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs : Services : Citizenship : How Do I Prove that I am a New Zealand Citizen?


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How Do I Prove that I am a New Zealand Citizen?

Celebrating 60 Years of New Zealand Citizenship
Click here for Maori language version

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In New Zealand there are several ways to prove your New Zealand citizenship status:

A New Zealand Birth Certificate
A New Zealand Passport
A New Zealand Citizenship Certificate
Denial of New Zealand Citizenship

A New Zealand Birth Certificate
Until the end of 2005, most children born in New Zealand (or in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau) were automatically New Zealand citizens at birth (with few exceptions).

From 1 January 2006, children born in New Zealand (or in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau) acquire New Zealand citizenship at birth only if at least one of their parents:

is a New Zealand citizen; or
has permanent residency (i.e. is entitled to be in New Zealand or Australia indefinitely); or
is entitled to reside indefinitely in the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue.

Please see Birth Death and Marriages application fees and forms to download or view a form, or access information on fees.

A New Zealand Passport
A New Zealand passport is acceptable proof of New Zealand citizenship provided that:

it was issued after 1950;
it was valid for 5 years or more;
it has no unauthorised alteration or additions;
it has no endorsements to suggest that more information or documents are required; and
the biodata information and/or the photograph are not defaced in any way;

Please see Passport application forms to download or view a form, or access information on fees.

A New Zealand Citizenship Certificate
A New Zealand certificate of citizenship can be issued to all New Zealand citizens. They come in many different forms including a:

Citizenship by Grant Certificate.
Citizenship by Descent Registration Certificate.
Confirmation of Birth in New Zealand Certificate.
Confirmation of New Zealand Citizenship by Grant Certificate.

These certificates provide evidence that you are a citizen on the day on which the certificate is issued. Please see Citizenship application fees and forms to download or view a form, or access information on fees.

Please note: New Zealand citizens have the right to renounce their citizenship and the Minister of Internal Affairs may deprive citizenship in rare cases. These numbers are very low, but mean some people may hold evidence that they are a citizen when they no longer are.

Denial of New Zealand Citizenship
If you want proof that you are not a New Zealand citizen, you may apply for a Denial of New Zealand Citizenship. Please see Citizenship application fees and forms to download or view a form, or access information on fees.


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Last updated: 10/06/2009