Names by birth or New Zealand citizenship
Read this page carefully to make sure you are filling in the form using your correct name.
Using your birth name if born in New Zealand
Passports can be issued in a person's registered birth name.
Your personal details
If you want your birth name as the name in your passport, write your birth name details. If you were legally adopted, write the names of your adoptive parents and the names that you were given after adoption.
Using your birth name if born in Niue, the Cook Islands or Tokelau
Passports can be issued in a person's registered birth name.
Your personal details
If you want your birth name as the name in your passport, write your birth name details.
If you were legally adopted, write the names of your adoptive parents and the names that you were given after adoption.
You will also need to provide your original birth certificate (showing place of birth and parent’s names).
Using your name as it is on your New Zealand citizenship certificate
Passports can be issued using the name on your New Zealand citizenship certificate.
Your personal details
If you want to use the name that is on your citizenship certificate, write your name as it appears on your citizenship certificate.
Avoid delays
You are not able to use nicknames or names that you are ‘commonly known as’.
- Surname or family name is sometimes known as your last name.
- First and middle names are also known as your given name.
- If you only have one name, write it in the space provided for the surname or family name.
