Eligibility quiz
Were you born in New Zealand?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
New Zealand passport
New Zealand citizens can travel on a New Zealand passport.
An adult passport lasts 10 years and a child passport lasts 5 years.
A passport must be renewed when it expires, but citizenship continues.
Live in New Zealand for life
New Zealand citizens can live in New Zealand indefinitely and leave and return as citizens.
Citizenship does not need renewal.
Live and work in 2 countries
Study in New Zealand
New Zealand citizens have full access to education in New Zealand.
Work in New Zealand
New Zealand citizens can work in New Zealand without a work visa condition.
They can also represent New Zealand in sport.
Get help abroad
New Zealand citizens can get help abroad after an arrest, illness, crime or lost passport, or in an emergency.
Help may be limited for people with another citizenship, and costs such as medical, legal and travel bills are not paid.
Vote and run for office
New Zealand citizens can vote in elections if they meet the voting rules.
They can also stand for Parliament or local government.
Use public healthcare
New Zealand citizens can use publicly funded health and disability services if they meet the service rules.
Not every treatment is free or immediate.
Access financial support
New Zealand citizens may qualify for financial and family support.
Payments have their own rules about things like residence, time spent in New Zealand, income, savings, age and family circumstances.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare any documents the birth certificate ordering service asks for.
See required documentsOrder your birth certificate
If you were born in 2006 or later, order your birth certificate through the online birth certificate service. You can also order it using the BDM93B paper form.
Order your certificateSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I order a New Zealand birth certificate online?”
Use your birth certificate
Use your birth certificate as proof of citizenship. A certificate for a birth in 2006 or later states if the person is not a citizen by birth.
See how to use itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I use my New Zealand birth certificate as proof of citizenship by birth?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Birth certificate *
Get your full New Zealand birth certificate showing your parents’ details. Send the original, not a photocopy.
* Only if you apply for confirmation of birth.
Name change documents *
Provide documents showing every other name you have used, such as a marriage or civil-union certificate or a statutory declaration of name change. Send the originals, not photocopies.
* Only if you apply for confirmation of birth and have used other names.
Passport photos *
Provide two passport-size photos of yourself. The person who completes the proof-of-identity section of your application must witness the back of one photo.
* Only if you apply for confirmation of birth.
Application forms *
Use CIT107 for confirmation of birth, including its proof-of-identity section. For a paper birth-certificate order, use form BDM93B; for a citizenship information request, use the citizenship information form.
* Only if you order a birth certificate on paper, apply for confirmation of birth, or request citizenship information.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Enrolment to vote
New Zealand citizens must enrol to vote.
Voting itself is not compulsory.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship may be taken away for acting against New Zealand's interests after gaining another citizenship, if legal conditions are met.
Citizenship by grant can also be taken away for fraud, false statements, deliberately hidden facts or an administrative error.
Adults aged 18 or over with full capacity and another citizenship can ask to give it up; it ends when that is registered.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Residence in NZ - Free Immigration Advice and INZ Updates
English Facebook group for people interested in New Zealander citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookWorking Holiday Visa New Zealand
Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas (English & Spanish)
Join on FacebookMOVING TO NEW ZEALAND -Immigration Questions, Advice, Information & Support
English Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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