Register as a citizen by descent and get a passport

If you are a citizen by descent, you must register your citizenship before you can get a New Zealand passport.

Descent registration and passport timeframes:

Standard descent registration and passport applications currently take up to 6 weeks plus delivery.

Some applications may require additional checks with external agencies to verify the descent claim.

For applications relating to birth and adoption in Samoa, please be aware that these external checks are currently taking 6 to 8 months (in addition to the standard 6 week processing time).

If you need a New Zealand passport to travel immediately for an emergency, call the Passport Office to discuss your situation:

• New Zealand: freephone 0800 22 50 50 (NZ only) or +64 4 462 0650
• Sydney: freephone 1300 559 535 (Australia only) or +61 2 9225 2300
• London: +44 20 7968 2730

Please note that there is no urgent service available for Samoan-born applicants who have not yet been registered as New Zealand citizens by descent.

For non-urgent applications, follow the standard process below.

Use one of the application forms below to register your citizenship by descent — even if you do not want a passport.

You are not officially a citizen until you have registered.

Fees

For adults aged 16 or over it costs:

• NZD$204.40 to register your citizenship
• NZD$419.40 to register your citizenship and get a passport.

For children aged 15 or under it costs:

• NZD$204.40 to register your citizenship
• NZD$329.40 to register your citizenship and get a passport.

In addition to the registration and passport application fees, you must also pay for the cost of courier delivery. The amount you need to pay will depend on your current location.

Apply to register your citizenship by descent

Adults aged 16 or over

Complete this form if:

• you were born outside New Zealand, and
• 1 of your parents was a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant when you were born.

Children aged 15 or under

Complete this form if:

• the child was born outside New Zealand, and
• at least 1 parent was a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant when the child was born.

Who has to sign the form and why

If your claim to New Zealand citizenship is through your mother

Your mother must sign the form.

If your claim to New Zealand citizenship is through your father

Both your mother and your father must sign the form.

What it means when your parent signs the form

When your parent signs the form, it means they are giving consent for their information to be collected and used to:

• verify they are your parent, and
• check if you are eligible for citizenship.

If your parent has died

If your parent cannot sign the form because they have died, you need to provide a death certificate.

Upgrade to citizenship by grant

Citizens by descent may also meet the requirements for citizenship by grant. This will allow you to pass down citizenship to children born outside New Zealand.

This service is not yet available online – you need to download a form and apply in person or by post.

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

• Citizenship office Contact and agency details