Eligibility quiz
Was either of your parents a New Zealand citizen other than by descent when you were born?
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 by mailApplying by mail
Download the application form
Download form DRG002 if you are 16 or older, or form DRG001 if you are applying for a child aged 15 or under. You can also use the form to request a New Zealand passport.
Find the right formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the adult or child form to register New Zealand citizenship by descent?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the adult form if you are applying for yourself. If you are applying for a child, complete and sign the child form as the parent or legal guardian, following its instructions.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the New Zealand citizenship by descent application form for an adult or child?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the citizenship office.
See required documentsMail your application package
Mail or courier the signed form, documents and payment to the Citizenship (Descent) Office in New Zealand; a courier lets you track delivery. You can also send the package from outside New Zealand.
Get the mailing addressSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I mail my New Zealand citizenship by descent application and how do I pay the fee?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Department of Internal Affairs to assess your application or your child's application. Send any extra information or documents it asks for.
See processing timesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does New Zealand citizenship by descent registration take after I mail my application?”
Receive your citizenship confirmation
Receive the registration result and your returned original documents, and a passport if you requested one. Once your citizenship is registered, you can apply for a New Zealand passport if you have not already requested one.
Find passport informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a New Zealand passport after registering citizenship by descent?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Provide your full official birth certificate showing your full name, place and date of birth, gender and both parents’ names; a hospital certificate is not accepted. If you were adopted outside New Zealand, add all original adoption documents; if you were born through surrogacy or there are other questions about parentage, you may be asked for more evidence.
Name change records *
Provide official evidence of the change, such as an adoption order or statutory declaration. A name you are only known by is not enough.
* Only if your name was officially changed outside New Zealand.
Parent's citizenship records *
Provide evidence of your New Zealand parent’s citizenship when you were born or, if you were adopted, when the adoption was finalised. Ask the Department what records to provide.
* Only if the Department cannot check your parent's citizenship electronically or asks you for evidence.
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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