Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Immigration Act 2009

Miscellaneous provisions - Endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passports

384: Endorsement in foreign passport

You could also call this:

“How to get your New Zealand citizenship noted in a foreign passport”

If you are a New Zealand citizen with a foreign passport, you can ask for a special note to be added to your passport. This note shows that you are a New Zealand citizen and can help you enter New Zealand more easily.

The person in charge at the immigration office can add this note to your foreign passport. They can do this in two ways: for a passport you already have, or for a passport you’re allowed to use for travel.

The note is kept in the immigration office’s records. It might be written in your passport, but it doesn’t have to be.

If you want this note, you need to ask for it in a special way. You’ll need to give some proof that you’re a New Zealand citizen. You’ll also need to give them either a New Zealand passport that was made after 5 November 2005, or a photo that can be used to identify you.

The person in charge can remove this note if you lose your New Zealand citizenship or if you choose to give it up under the Citizenship Act 1977.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1441203.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Becoming a citizen
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Government and voting > Government departments
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Part 11 Miscellaneous provisions
Endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passports

384Endorsement in foreign passport

  1. For the purpose of facilitating a person's entry into New Zealand, the chief executive may make an endorsement in relation to a passport (other than a New Zealand passport)—

  2. held by a New Zealand citizen to indicate the fact of the person's New Zealand citizenship:
    1. on which the person is entitled to travel to indicate the fact of the person's New Zealand citizenship.

      1. An endorsement is made by being entered and retained in the records (whether electronic or physical) of the Department in a manner determined by the chief executive.

      2. An endorsement may (but need not) be evidenced by a physical endorsement in the passport concerned.

      3. A New Zealand citizen who wishes to obtain an endorsement of the type described in subsection (1) must apply to the chief executive in the prescribed manner and include—

      4. the prescribed evidence to support his or her application; and
        1. either—
          1. a New Zealand passport issued on or after 5 November 2005; or
            1. if the person does not hold a New Zealand passport issued on or after 5 November 2005, a photograph suitable for use as biometric information.

            2. The chief executive may cancel an endorsement given under subsection (1) if the person is deprived of, or renounces, his or her citizenship under the Citizenship Act 1977.