passports.govt.nz

New Zealand passports | Uruwhenua Aotearoa

The Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

 

Apply for a child passport – application checklist

Here’s a checklist to help you avoid mistakes and delays

Check the following information carefully to make sure you have provided all the information we require and that you have any supporting documents we require ready to send us. If you are required to send documents, you need to send originals. Do not send photocopies or certified copies. All of your child’s original documents will be returned to you with their passport.

On this page:

Avoid delays

Check you have answered all the questions on the form which are related to you and your child. We can only process your child's application if you complete the form accurately. If you miss out any details or get them incorrect, we may need to contact you and there may be a delay in the processing of your child's application. You must send the complete application form, even if some pages have not been filled in and there are empty fields.

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Is your child’s form complete?

Have you rechecked your child's application and ensured it has been correctly completed?
  • Read each question again and make sure you have followed all of the instructions.
Have you written the correct payment amount for your child's application?
  • Refer to the fees and charges information if you are unsure.
  • If you are paying by cheque or money order, make sure the amount is correct, all details are filled in and the amount is payable to ‘the Department of Internal Affairs’.
Were you required to complete a statutory declaration at section 9 of the application?
  • Make sure you have signed the declaration in the presence of an authorised witness.
  • Make sure the authorised witness has also signed the declaration.
Are your replacing a lost or stolen passport or travel document issued to your child?
  • Make sure you have signed the declaration for a lost or stolen document at application section 8.
Has the consenting parent or guardian signed section 10 of the form?
  • Read each of the statements shown in the declaration. Your child’s passport application is a legal document. Penalties apply if you make a false or misleading statement in an attempt to get a New Zealand passport.
Has your witness completed application section 12?
  • Remember, your child's witness must complete this section in their own handwriting.
  • If you have accidentally written on this page, your application will be delayed, fill out a new passport application form and get your witness to complete application section 12.
Have you included 2 identical colour photos of your child that are no more than 6 months old?
  • Check that the photos are not damaged.
  • Check that the witness has completed and signed the back of one of your photos.
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Will you need to send any documents?

Check the following information carefully. In some circumstances we may need to contact you for further information if we cannot verify your child’s information electronically using records already held by us.

Avoid delays

If you are required to send original documents, you must also provide officially translated versions of documents not written in English.

  • You should use an approved translator that is approved by the Department of Internal Affairs.
  • We also accept official translations of documents into English by the issuing Government agency or a New Zealand diplomatic post. We will accept translations made by a court in the country of origin if they have been authenticated by that country's diplomatic post in New Zealand.

Documents for application section 3 – Child’s previous New Zealand Passport or other New Zealand travel document

If your child…Then…
Holds a New Zealand passport
  • You are not required to send your child's previous New Zealand passport to us. Once your child's application has been received your child's previous New Zealand passport will be cancelled and cannot be used for travel.  
Holds a New Zealand Emergency Travel Document
  • Send your child's original Emergency Travel Document (Note: any visas in it will be destroyed).
Holds a New Zealand-issued Certificate of Identity or Refugee Travel Document
  • Send us the original travel document. (Note: any visas in it will be destroyed).

Documents for application section 4 – Child’s entitlement to a New Zealand passport

If your child…Then…
Was born in New Zealand
  • No document is required.
Was born in Niue, the Cook Islands or Tokelau
  • Send your child's original birth certificate (showing place of birth and parents’ names).
Received New Zealand citizenship by descent or by grant
  • No document is required.

Documents for application section 6 – Name change by statutory declaration or deed poll

If your child…Then…
Was born in New Zealand and their name was legally changed in New Zealand 
  • No document is required.
Changed their name overseas
  • Send your child's original overseas name change document.
Was born overseas and changed their name in New Zealand after 25 January 2009
  • No document is required.
Was born overseas and changed their name in New Zealand on or before 25 January 2009
  • Send us your child's original New Zealand Name Change by Statutory Declaration or Deed poll certificate.

Documents for application section 8 – Declaration for a lost or stolen passport or other travel document

If your child's passport or travel document was…Then…
Lost or stolen in New Zealand
  • Send a New Zealand police report.
Lost or stolen overseas
  • Send an overseas police report (if available) or the police report event number (for Australia), crime reference number (for the United Kingdom) or the local police equivalent for other countries.