We get New Zealand company documents apostilled for use overseas, from one company extract to a full set for a bank, registry or deal. Companies Office records don't need a notary, so an apostille is from NZ$116 all in. Private company papers, such as a constitution, power of attorney or board resolution, need a NZ Notary Public first, and we arrange that and quote the job all in.
Which NZ company documents can be apostilled?
Companies Office records, trade mark and patent registrations, and private company papers that a NZ Notary Public has notarised. Each has its own route, so the document decides the steps and the price.
| Company document | What DIA needs first | What we take care of |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of incorporation | No notary. DIA accepts a copy | Get the right copy, lodge it and deliver it |
| Company extract | No notary. DIA accepts a copy | Get a current extract, lodge it and deliver it |
| Trade mark or patent registration | No notary. DIA accepts a copy | Lodge the copy and deliver it |
| Company constitution | NZ Notary Public first | Book the notary, then lodge it with DIA |
| Power of attorney, authorisation, deed or statement | NZ Notary Public first | Book the notary, check the notarial page, then lodge it |
| Board resolution or other private company paper | NZ Notary Public first | Book the notary, check the notarial page, then lodge it |
| Chamber of Commerce document | NZ Notary Public first | Book the notary, then lodge it with DIA |
This follows DIA's document requirements. Tell us what the overseas bank, registry or lawyer asked for, and we'll match it to the right route before you pay anything.
The overseas office sets the final list. Send us what it asked for and we work from that, not from a guess.
Do company documents need a notary before the apostille?
Companies Office records don't, but private company papers do. DIA accepts copies of a Companies Office extract or incorporation record as they are, while a constitution or power of attorney must be notarised by a NZ Notary Public first.
The notarial page is where these jobs go wrong. DIA expects the notary to describe what they did, sign, add their seal or stamp, give the date and place, and make it clear they saw every page. We book the Notary Public and check that page before it goes to DIA, so a set of company papers doesn't come back for one missing line.
Which document shows a NZ company is in good standing?
Start with the company extract, which shows the company's current status, addresses, directors and shareholders. If the overseas office has asked for a certificate of good standing by name, send us its exact wording and we'll confirm what will satisfy it before anything is lodged.
The Companies Register extract summarises what's on the register at that moment, including whether the company is Registered, In liquidation or Removed. If a director, shareholder or address has changed, get the register updated first, or the apostilled copy will show the old details.
Do my company documents need an apostille or authentication?
It depends on the country they're going to. Hague Convention countries take an apostille, and others need document authentication and further steps.
China takes an apostille, with a notary first where the document needs one: see NZ documents for China. Company set-up in the UAE goes through a longer route of authentication and attestation: see UAE attestation from NZ. Not sure which applies? Our guide to apostille vs authentication covers it, or just tell us the country.
What does a company document apostille cost?
A Companies Office record is from NZ$116 all in, or from NZ$148 with tracked return inside New Zealand. Anything that needs a Notary Public is quoted all in, because it depends on the document and the appointment.
Prices include the government fee and GST. If you have several documents for the same deal, they go on one quote. Urgent service adds from NZ$169 where it's eligible, and one urgent fee can cover up to 5 documents. See pricing.
How long does it take?
About 3 weeks, or about 1 week with the urgent service where eligible. Notary appointments and courier time sit on top of that, so tell us your deadline first and we'll tell you straight away whether it's realistic.
How does it work with us?
You send us what the overseas office asked for, and we handle the New Zealand end. You get one all-in quote before anything starts.
- Send the requestThe email or checklist from overseas.
- We confirm the routeNotary or not, apostille or authentication, paper or e-apostille.
- Notary if neededWe book it and tell you what to bring.
- We lodge with DIAChecked first, then tracked by us.
- DeliveredTo you, your lawyer or straight overseas.
Our guarantee, in plain words
We check your documents before you pay. If we take your job and then find we can’t complete it, you get a full refund of our fee, plus any government or notary fees we haven’t yet paid. What we can’t guarantee is a decision made by an overseas authority. That part is theirs, which is exactly why we check everything first.
We prepare New Zealand documents and lodge them with DIA. Whether they're accepted is decided by the overseas bank, registry or authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can a NZ certificate of incorporation be apostilled?
Yes. DIA accepts a copy of a Companies Office incorporation record, so it doesn't need a notary first. We get the right copy, lodge it and deliver the apostille, from NZ$116 all in.
Can a NZ company extract be apostilled?
Yes. DIA accepts a copy of a Companies Office extract without a notary. The extract shows the company's details at the time it's produced, so check the directors and addresses are up to date before it's lodged.
Does a company constitution need a notary before the apostille?
Yes. DIA accepts a companies constitution once a NZ Notary Public has notarised the original or a copy. We book the notary, then lodge it with DIA.
Can you do several company documents at once?
Yes. Send us the whole list and we'll give you one all-in quote for the set. If it's urgent, one urgent fee can cover up to 5 documents.
Will an e-apostille work for company documents?
Only if the office receiving it accepts electronic documents, and many still want paper. We confirm the format with you before anything is lodged.
Can our lawyer or accountant arrange this with you?
Yes. They can send us the overseas office's list and we'll quote the set. We don't give legal advice, so the wording of a resolution or power of attorney stays with your lawyer.
Sources
NZ Document Assist Limited is an independent company, not a government agency. We are not a law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser and do not give legal or immigration advice.