The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs : Resource material : Identity Verification Service


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igovt Identity Verification Service

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Questions and Answers

igovt Identity Verification Service

The igovt Identity Verification Service is a way for people to verify their identity to government agencies online and in real time up to a high level of confidence using an igovt ID. This would be like showing someone your passport to prove who you are. Instead a similar process is happening online.

What is igovt Identity Verification Service used for?

The purpose of the new service is to allow you to use the Internet as a more convenient way to prove who you are when you are dealing with government agencies.

To use some government services, people need to verify who they are. For example, government agencies cannot provide services that involve the exchange of money or personal information unless they have verified your identity.

Currently, proving your identity to government agencies can require you to provide multiple documents, which can take time.

The new service aims to give you a way to do this that is quick, safe, and easy while protecting your privacy at the same time. Using the Internet provides you with the convenience of anytime/anywhere access.

The new service won’t replace other methods of establishing identity. You can still establish your identity when accessing government services by visiting the relevant government agency office or by post.

How do I join the igovt Identity Verification Service?

If you would like to use this service you will need to apply for an igovt ID in person at one of the mobile office sessions (see locations and times below). You will need to hold a current New Zealand passport (less than 5 years old) or have citizenship granted in the past five years and have a mobile phone.

Steps for joining

1. At the mobile office you will need to show your passport or citizenship certificate to a Department staff member. These will be checked to ensure that you are eligible to join.

2. You will set up an igovt logon (if you don't already have one). This is a username and password that you use to access the igovt identity verification service. You may use this same username and password to access other online government services in the future.

3. A staff member will take your photograph and compare it to the one stored in the passports or citizenship system.

4. You are now ready to use the service. You will receive an email to confirm that you have been issued an igovt ID.

Mobile office locations and times

Location	Address	Date	Time
Wellington	Department of Internal Affairs Level 1 46 Waring Taylor Street Wellington	Friday, 11^th December 2009 Saturday, 12^th December 2009	9am – 4pm 9am – 1pm
Auckland	Department of Internal Affairs Level 6 AA Centre 99 Albert Street Auckland 1010	Thursday, 21^st January 2010 Friday, 22^nd January 2010	4pm – 7pm 9am – 5pm
Manukau	Department of Internal Affairs Level 1 20 – 24 Lambie Drive Auckland 2104	Saturday, 23^rd January 2010	9am - 1pm

Further dates and locations for early 2010 will be published by January 2010. If you require further information or if you would like to make an appointment please email: igovt@dia.govt.nz

How does the igovt Identity Verification Service work?

Once you have joined, you can use the service to verify your identity to a participating government agency whenever you need to, using the Internet.

You go to the government agency website and request a service that uses the igovt Identity Verification Service
You then choose to be redirected to the igovt website so igovt can verify your identity to the government agency
You log on to igovt entering your user name, password and igovt code sent to your mobile phone
igovt displays your name, date of birth, gender, place of birth or only some of these as required by the agency
You give your consent for the information to be sent to the government agency
You will then be re-directed back to the original government agency website, which will now know who you are and enable access to the service you require
The logon can also be used for ongoing access to that government agency’s online services

Diagram showing how the igovt Identity Verification Service works

When will the IVS be available?
The first stage of the igovt Identity Verification Service will be available for birth, death and marriage products initially in late 2009. Over the next two to three years there will be more government services available and the service will be made available to all members of the public.

How can I get access to the service?
Initially you will only be able to use the igovt Identity Verification Service to order non-historical birth, death and marriage products from the Department of Internal Affairs. If you want to use this service you will need to apply for an igovt ID. You would need to do this in person and hold a current New Zealand passport (less than 5 years old) or have citizenship granted in the last five years. Further information on how to apply for an igovt ID will be available later in 2009.

What kinds of things could I use the service for?
The new service could help people to complete, online, the proof of identity aspect for services provided by government agencies. Other steps may need to be taken to complete these activities, but the new service will help with any part that requires a person to prove who they are.

Will there be a cost to use this service?

There will be no cost for the public during the first stage. Future costs of using the service are yet to be determined.

Will there be a cost to get an igovt ID?
There will be no cost for the public during the first stage. Future costs of using the service are yet to be determined.

How can you ensure integrity and protection of my identity information?
All services under igovt, including the igovt identity verification service, are being designed with a strong commitment to protecting your privacy

This is managed in a number of ways:

You choose to use the igovt identity verification service and give your consent to send your identity information to the government agency each time
The identifier sent to the agency is unique for that agency and can not be used to match or share your information with other agencies
A high level of security of data, systems and processes provides assurance that private information is appropriately handled
The Privacy Commissioner has been kept informed of the service
Privacy assessments will be ongoing. Previous Privacy Impact Assessments are available online at
Independent security reviews will be ongoing

When will the IVS be available for private sector services?
At this stage the igovt Identity Verification Service can only be used by government agencies. Cabinet decision would be sought before extending the service to the private sector. In August 2009, the Department issued an Invitation to Present Commercial Opportunities (IPCO) to organisations with an interest in forming a commercial relationship with the Department regarding the igovt logon and identity verification services. The Department wants to know whether organisations would be interested in using igovt, and entering into a commercial arrangement to further develop, fund, distribute or ensure the uptake and use of igovt services.

Has the public been consulted?
The public were consulted on the proposed new igovt Identity Verification Service towards the end of 2007.

Results of the Public Consultation
The period for submissions closed on Friday 7 December 2007. See below copy of Summary Report and the Full Report - 'What People Said':

Summary Report (html version)
igovt Public Consultation Report - Summary, March 2008

Full Report (.pdf) 570k*
Public consultation about the igovt service - 'What People Said'
(Prepared for the Department of Internal Affairs by Gatt Consulting Ltd, March 2008)

Further Information

IVS - Information for Public Consultation (.pdf) 190k*
(see also html version of Information for Public Consultation document)

Authentication - Key documents (e-government website)

*This document is in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.


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Last updated: 04/11/2009