The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation



 

Services › Translation › Translation Service: FAQ

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Do I need to send the original document?
It depends on what the translation is to be used for.
  • If you are applying for New Zealand Citizenship or a Permanent Residence visa and we are translating your birth certificate, marriage certificate or police clearance certificate, then we must see the original documents.
  • If you are applying to NZQA for recognition of your qualifications and we are translating your school certificate, diploma or academic transcript, then the translation is to be made from the original documents where possible, or a certified photocopy. New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) will not accept translations from faxed documents or uncertified photocopies.

How long will my translation take?
It depends on the length of the documents, the technicality of the text and the languages involved. We are happy to give you a timeframe before we go ahead with the translation.

Selective translations of personal documents into English from all European languages plus Japanese, Chinese, Korean:
* two to three working days.

Selective translations of personal documents from other languages:
* three to five working days.


How can I pay for my translation?
We accept payment by:
  • Visa/ Mastercard/ American Express
  • Cheque (payable to the Department of Internal Affairs)
  • Cash
  • Money order
  • Eftpos

Will my translation be accepted by Citizenship?
Yes. We are an accredited agency to:
  • New Zealand Immigration Service
  • New Zealand Qualifications Authority
  • Citizenship Section - Department of Internal Affairs
  • New Zealand Transport Agency

Do you have a branch in Auckland?
Our office is in Wellington, but you can send, courier, fax or e-mail your document to us. We have made it even easier for you to contact us, on freephone 0800 TRANSLATE (0800 872 675).

How shall I send my document(s) to you?
You can send it to us by:
  • fax
  • e-mail
  • mail
  • courier

If we are translating your birth, marriage or police clearance certificate we must sight the originals. If you are sending your original personal documents you may wish to courier them so that the delivery can be tracked. If you would like us to return your documents by courier you can either enclose a pre-paid A4-size courier bag with the document(s) or add $5 to the translation charge and we will arrange a courier for you.


How much will the translation cost?
Selective translations into English of personal documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates): NZ$75.00 GST inclusive. Our minimum charge for full translations is NZ$85.00 GST inclusive (this applies to most jobs containing 100 words or less).

For all other documents, the price will depend on the language, technicality of the text and the number of words in the document. All prices include standard postage within New Zealand. All prices quoted are GST inclusive.

Contact us for an obligation-free quote.


How to contact us
Discuss your translation requirements with us by visiting our office, or contacting us by phone, fax, letter or e-mail.

Phone: +64 4 816-4011 or free phone 0800 TRANSLATE (0800 872 675)
Fax: +64 4 470-2921
Email: translate@dia.govt.nz

Our opening hours are 8.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

Courier/physical address:
The Translation Service
Ground Floor of the Archives New Zealand building
10 Mulgrave Street
Thorndon
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Postal address:
The Translation Service
PO Box 805
Wellington 6140
New Zealand