When an embassy, immigration office or employer asks for a NZ police clearance, what they need is your Ministry of Justice criminal record, in the right version, with an apostille from DIA. The wrong version is refused. We confirm what the overseas office wants, request the record for you, check it, lodge the apostille and deliver it, to you or straight to the embassy or employer. All in from NZ$116.
How it works
Five steps, one contact. You sign one online authority and we do the rest.
- Tell us the countryAnd who's asking: embassy, immigration or employer.
- We confirm the recordStandard or full, apostille or authentication.
- We request itFrom the Ministry of Justice, with your signed authority.
- We lodge it with DIAChecked first, standard or urgent.
- Tracked deliveryTo you, or straight to the embassy or employer.
There is no NZ "police clearance certificate"
New Zealand doesn't issue a document officially called a police clearance certificate. When an overseas office asks for a police clearance, police check, penal check or criminal check, the New Zealand document that meets it is your criminal record from the Ministry of Justice, apostilled or authenticated for the country it's going to. Many people lose weeks searching for a certificate that doesn't exist. We start you on the right one. Only need the record itself, with no apostille? Request your NZ criminal record check for NZ$35.
Standard or full record?
Under New Zealand's Clean Slate scheme, some convictions are hidden on a standard record. Some countries accept the standard record; others insist on the full record of convictions. Request the wrong one and you start again. We confirm which one the receiving office wants and request the right one for you.
Police vetting is a different thing
Police vetting is a New Zealand Police service for approved organisations, and it isn't the same as your criminal record. For most visa and job applications, you need the Ministry of Justice criminal record. We'll tell you which applies to you.
A police certificate arrived too late, and the next appointment was 35 days away
A dual citizen booked a passport appointment at his birth country's consulate in Auckland. His NZ police certificate had not arrived by the day, and the next free appointment was five weeks later. Read what happened and how to time it.
Mistakes we catch before they cost you weeks
- Searching for a "police clearance certificate" that New Zealand doesn't issue
- Requesting the standard record when the country needs the full record
- Using the wrong version of the record, which DIA refuses
- Confusing police vetting with a Ministry of Justice record
- Getting an apostille when the country needs authentication (UAE, Qatar, Thailand)
- Leaving too little time before the visa or job deadline
How long does it take?
The record usually arrives within about a week of the request. The apostille then takes about 3 weeks with DIA's standard service, or about 1 week urgent for eligible documents. Visa deadline close? Tell us now and we'll tell you straight away whether it's achievable.
What it costs
All in from NZ$116, including DIA's government fee and GST. Courier delivery in New Zealand or overseas, and urgent service, are quoted all in, so you see one price before any work starts. See pricing.
Apostille or authentication? It depends on the country
Many common visa destinations accept an apostille, including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Canada, most of Europe, China, India, Japan and the Philippines. Others, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Thailand and Egypt, need authentication instead, which takes longer. We confirm the right route for your country and handle either one. See Apostille vs Authentication.
Employers often set their own time limits. See the police certificate for a Vietnam work permit (6-month rule) and the police certificate for a China work permit. For the UAE, an apostille is refused: see police certificate attestation for the UAE. For Korea, timing matters: see the 6-month rule for an E-2 visa criminal record.
Frequently asked questions
Does New Zealand issue a police clearance certificate?
No. Overseas authorities asking for a police clearance accept your criminal record from the Ministry of Justice. We can request it for you and get it apostilled.
Can a New Zealand criminal record be apostilled?
Yes, as long as it is the right version of the record. We check it before lodging with DIA, so it is not refused.
How long does it take in total?
The record usually arrives within about a week. The apostille then takes about 3 weeks, or about 1 week with the urgent service. Tell us your deadline and we will tell you whether it is achievable.
Do I need my full record of convictions?
Some countries require the full record and others accept the standard one. We confirm what the receiving office wants and request the right one.
How much does it cost?
All in from NZ$116, including DIA's government fee and GST. Courier delivery and urgent service are quoted all in, before any work starts.
Can I use the emailed copy of my record?
Usually not. The version of the record matters for the apostille. Send us what you have and we will tell you, or we request the right one for you.
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.