NEW ZEALAND OVERSEAS DOCUMENTS GUIDE
Quick answer: In New Zealand, the legal term for divorce is the dissolution of a marriage or civil union. The Family Court ends the marriage or civil union by making a Dissolution Order. If you need New Zealand divorce papers for use overseas, that court document may need an apostille or authentication depending on the destination country and the receiving organisation's requirements.
What are New Zealand divorce papers called?
The Ministry of Justice explains that “dissolving a marriage or civil union” is the legal term for divorce in New Zealand. The Family Court legally ends the marriage or civil union by making a Dissolution Order.
An overseas authority may use terms such as divorce certificate, divorce decree, dissolution certificate or divorce papers. Before ordering or apostilling anything, ask it exactly which New Zealand court document it will accept.
Where do you get a copy of your divorce or dissolution papers?
For a copy of New Zealand divorce papers or a dissolution order, the relevant Family Court is the starting point. Current New Zealand Government overseas-document guidance directs people seeking a copy of their divorce or dissolution order to the Family Court where the dissolution was processed.
Can New Zealand divorce papers be apostilled?
Yes. The Department of Internal Affairs Authentication Unit specifically lists New Zealand dissolution or divorce papers among the New Zealand government-issued documents it can process, provided the document meets its requirements.
What document format does DIA accept?
For New Zealand dissolution or divorce papers, current Authentication Unit requirements say the document must be one of the following:
- an original government-issued document with an ink signature and/or seal and/or stamp — not simply a document printed from a website or email;
- a document notarised by a New Zealand Notary Public; or
- a copy certified by the government department that issued it.
This is a particularly important check if your divorce document was supplied electronically.
Can I just print an emailed divorce order?
Do not assume that a printout of an emailed or online document will meet DIA's requirements. Current Authentication Unit guidance specifically distinguishes original government-issued documents carrying the appropriate ink signature, seal or stamp from documents merely printed from a website or email.
If you only have an electronic version, check which acceptable preparation route applies before submitting it.
How to apostille New Zealand divorce papers
- Ask the overseas organisation what it needs. Confirm whether it wants the Dissolution Order, another court document, or possibly an endorsed marriage certificate.
- Obtain the correct document. If necessary, request the divorce or dissolution papers from the relevant Family Court.
- Check the document format. Make sure it meets DIA's requirements for an original, notarised document or issuing-department-certified copy.
- Confirm apostille or authentication. The destination country determines the pathway.
- Submit the application to DIA. Choose paper apostille or e-apostille where appropriate.
- Arrange final delivery. Follow the overseas organisation's requirements for originals, translations and document return.
Apostille or authentication?
The destination country determines whether apostille, Category A authentication or Category B authentication applies. The same New Zealand divorce document can therefore follow different processes depending on where it will be used.
See our Apostille vs Authentication NZ guide.
Do divorce papers always need a Notary Public?
No. DIA's current requirements provide more than one acceptable route for New Zealand dissolution or divorce papers. An acceptable original government-issued document or a copy certified by the issuing government department may avoid the need for notarisation.
However, if notarisation is the route being used for the DIA process, it must be done by a New Zealand Notary Public. See our Notary Coordination service.
Paper apostille or e-apostille?
New Zealand offers both paper and electronic apostilles. Ask the overseas organisation which type it accepts, particularly if it expects original court papers or physical documents.
See our Paper Apostille vs E-Apostille NZ guide.
Current apostille fee and processing time
The current New Zealand Government apostille fee is NZ$37 for one certificate, whether paper or electronic.
Standard apostille processing is currently within 15 working days. Eligible urgent apostille and e-apostille applications are processed within 5 working days for an additional government urgent-service fee of NZ$120.
Allow additional time if you first need to obtain the correct court document, arrange notarisation or organise translation.
What if the divorce papers need translation?
The overseas authority may require a translation. Check its rules before arranging one. DIA can arrange translation as part of an application, or you can organise translation independently.
If an independent translation is being used for the DIA process, current government guidance says it must be notarised by a New Zealand Notary Public.
See our Translation Coordination service.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Asking for a “divorce certificate” without checking which New Zealand document the overseas authority actually wants.
- Submitting a printout from an email or website without checking whether it meets DIA requirements.
- Assuming the marriage certificate automatically replaces the Dissolution Order.
- Paying for notarisation before checking whether an acceptable original or issuing-department-certified copy is available.
- Assuming every country uses the apostille pathway.
- Choosing an e-apostille without checking whether the overseas authority accepts electronic documents.
Need help coordinating your divorce-document apostille?
NZ Document Assist provides administrative document assistance and coordination only. We can help identify the appropriate document pathway, coordinate apostille or authentication, arrange NZ Notary Public or translation coordination where required, and assist with document-return logistics.
View Apostille Coordination Ask About Your Divorce Documents
Frequently asked questions
What is a divorce certificate called in New Zealand?
The legal process is called dissolution of a marriage or civil union. The Family Court makes a Dissolution Order to legally end the marriage or civil union.
Can New Zealand divorce papers be apostilled?
Yes. DIA's Authentication Unit specifically includes New Zealand dissolution or divorce papers among the government-issued documents it can apostille or authenticate when the document meets its requirements.
Do I need the original divorce order?
Not necessarily. Current DIA requirements allow an appropriate original government-issued document, a document notarised by a New Zealand Notary Public, or a copy certified by the government department that issued it.
Can I apostille a divorce order printed from an email?
Do not assume so. DIA's current requirements state that the original-document route requires a government-issued document with an ink signature and/or seal and/or stamp, rather than a document simply printed from a website or email. Another acceptable preparation route may be needed.
How much does a New Zealand apostille cost?
The current government fee is NZ$37 for one apostille certificate. Notary, translation, courier and administrative-assistance costs are separate where applicable.