Apply for a first New Zealand passport

You need to create a login using RealMe.

• You will be prompted to create your login before you begin your application.
• If you already have an existing RealMe login, you can use this.
• Your login will let you log back into your incomplete saved application for up to 30 days.
• You can create additional passport applications using the same RealMe login.

You need your:

• name, date of birth and place of birth
• gender, height (in centimetres) and eye colour
• contact number, email and address
• parents' full names, as stated on your birth certificate.

If you have changed your name, you also need to provide dates and records of each name change.

The referee must:

• be aged 16 or over
• have a current or expired New Zealand passport
• have known you for at least 1 year, or since birth
• not be related to you or part of your extended family (this includes spouses and partners)
• not live in the same house as you
• be available if we call or email them to verify details about your application — this will help avoid delays.

You need to provide these details about the referee:

• full name
• date of birth
• email address
• contact number
• residential address
• New Zealand passport number.

If you are applying in a group

• You need an identity referee for each person applying.
• You can use the same identity referee as long as they meet the above requirements for each person applying.

You can get your photo taken:

• at a pharmacy or Warehouse Stationery store
• by a professional photographer, or
• by a friend, family member or colleague, if you have access to a phone or camera.

The image must be:

• less than 6 months old
• of only you
• in colour
• digital (in .jpeg format)
• clear, sharp and in focus.

How to take a passport photo

Check your photo meets the technical requirements

You can verify your identity online by completing an identity check during your application. The identity check helps to confirm you are who you say you are.

When you get to this section of the application, you will need to:

• use a cellphone, tablet or computer with internet access and a camera, and
• follow instructions to take a live photo (selfie).

If you are applying for a child

The consent giver needs to complete the identity check.

You can choose to provide an emergency contact. If something happens to you while you are travelling on your New Zealand passport, the Department of Internal Affairs will share your emergency contact's details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Your emergency contact's information will not be printed in your passport.

You need to provide these details about your emergency contact:

• full name
• email address
• contact number
• home address.

If you are applying in a group

You can use the same emergency contact for each person in the group.

Applicants aged 15 years and under need consent from a parent or guardian to apply for a passport.

Only a parent named on the child's birth record or a legal guardian can give consent.

The consent giver must:

• fill in the ‘consent giver’ section
• complete an online identity check
• provide their full name, contact information, details of any name changes, and their relationship to the child.

If you are applying in a group

Fill out the adult applications first, you can then copy shared details to the child applications.

You can pay securely online by credit, debit or Prezzy® card.

Passport costs

Delivery in New Zealand

You can have the passport delivered to

• a street address,
• a PO Box or Private Bag, or
• an NZ Post Parcel Collect location near you.

If you choose the urgent service, you can also pick up the passport from a DIA office in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.

Delivery outside New Zealand

You can have the passport delivered to

• a street address, or
• a PO Box or Private Bag.

If you choose the urgent service and you are in Australia or the UK, you can also pick up the passport from a DIA office in Sydney or London.

Delivery fees

If you want your passport delivered to another country, you may need to pay a courier fee. This fee is automatically calculated when you complete your application.

Delivery fees

If you are applying in a group

All passports in a group application will be sent together. You must choose a single delivery address and service (standard or urgent).