Identity referee or witness

Who can be an identity referee or witness

Your identity referee or witness must:

• be aged 16 or older
• have known you for more than 1 year, or since birth for a child under 1 year old
• have a current or expired New Zealand passport
• agree to be your referee
• be available if we call or email them to verify details about your application — this will help avoid delays.

Your identity referee or witness must not:

• be part of your immediate or extended family (this includes cousins, in-laws and ex-spouses)
• be your partner or spouse
• live at the same address as you.

If you cannot find a suitable identity referee or witness, contact us.

If you are registering as a citizen by descent and applying for a passport, there is more information on the application form about who can be a witness.