What Is an Apostille in New Zealand?
An apostille is an official certificate that verifies the signature, stamp or seal on certain New Zealand documents so they can be recognised in countries that use the Hague Apostille Convention.
New Zealand apostilles are issued through the Department of Internal Affairs Authentication Unit. NZ Document Assist does not issue apostilles. We provide independent administrative assistance and coordination to help make the process easier to organise and manage.
The correct process depends on the document, the country where it will be used and sometimes the requirements of the overseas organisation asking for it.
Documents Commonly Used Overseas
Apostilles may be required for many different types of New Zealand documents. The exact preparation required can differ considerably between document types.
- New Zealand birth certificates
- Marriage and civil union certificates
- Death certificates
- Academic qualifications and education documents
- Criminal record and background-related documents
- Company and business documents
- Powers of attorney and privately prepared documents
- Certified copies requiring notarisation
- Documents for overseas property transactions
- Documents for banking and financial matters overseas
- Estate and inheritance documents
- Documents requested by foreign authorities or institutions
Not every document follows the same route. Some can be processed in their original form, while others may first require notarisation, translation, certification or another preliminary step.
How Our Apostille Assistance Works
Tell Us What You Need
Tell us what document you have, which country it will be used in and any instructions you have received from the organisation requesting it.
We Check the Administrative Requirements
We review the information provided and identify the practical document-handling steps that may be involved.
Coordinate Any Preliminary Steps
If notarisation, translation, certified copies or other preparation is required, we can help coordinate those services before the apostille stage.
Apostille Application Coordination
We help organise the application, document handling and administrative submission process.
Return and Delivery
Once processing is complete, we can coordinate document return, New Zealand delivery or international courier arrangements where required.
Our Apostille Coordination Fee
Our apostille coordination service starts from NZ$89.
This covers our administrative coordination and handling service. Additional charges may apply where your document requires external processing, notarisation, translation, courier services or other third-party services.
The simplest way to know what your particular case is likely to involve is to tell us what document you have and where it needs to be used.
See our pricing page or ask us about your document.
How Long Does an Apostille Take in New Zealand?
Standard apostille processing is currently within 15 working days once a complete application that meets the required criteria is received.
Eligible urgent applications can currently be processed within 5 working days. An additional NZ$120 urgent-processing fee applies.
Our own priority handling relates to how quickly we deal with the administrative work on our side. It cannot guarantee faster processing by DIA, a notary, translator, embassy, courier company or any other external organisation.
Apostille or Authentication — Which Do You Need?
Apostille and authentication are often confused, but they are not the same process.
The correct route primarily depends on the country where your New Zealand document will be used.
| Apostille | Authentication |
|---|---|
| Used for countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. | Used for countries that require an authentication or legalisation process instead. |
| Available as a paper apostille or electronic e-apostille. | May involve additional verification and, in some cases, embassy or consular steps. |
If your destination requires authentication rather than an apostille, see our New Zealand Document Authentication service .
What If My Document Needs a Notary?
Some documents must be notarised before they can proceed through the apostille or authentication process.
When notarisation is required for this process, it must be completed by a New Zealand Notary Public.
A Justice of the Peace or ordinary solicitor certification is not a substitute where the document specifically requires notarisation for apostille or authentication.
NZ Document Assist is not a Notary Public, but we can help coordinate the notarial stage and document handling.
Learn about our Notary Coordination service .
Do You Need an Original Document or a Copy?
This is one of the most common areas of confusion.
The answer depends on the type of document. Some documents need to be submitted as originals, while certain other documents may be accepted as properly notarised copies or in an approved electronic format.
There is another important consideration: the overseas organisation receiving the document can have its own rules. It may require an original even where another format could otherwise be processed.
That is why we ask about both your document and the country and organisation receiving it before coordinating the next steps.
Paper Apostille or E-Apostille?
New Zealand offers both a paper apostille and an electronic apostille, known as an e-apostille.
A paper apostille is physically attached to the document set. An e-apostille is supplied electronically as a secure PDF.
One is not automatically better than the other. The important question is which format the organisation receiving your documents will accept.
Apostille Assistance Anywhere in New Zealand
NZ Document Assist provides administrative document assistance throughout New Zealand.
Many cases can be coordinated remotely using email, post and courier, which means you do not necessarily need to be located near our Auckland service area.
Whether you are in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin or elsewhere in New Zealand, you can contact us about coordinating your overseas document requirements.
We can also assist people who are currently living overseas but need help coordinating the use of New Zealand documents internationally.
Want to Understand the Full NZ Apostille Process?
We have prepared a detailed guide explaining New Zealand apostille requirements, document preparation, original documents, notarisation, e-apostilles, authentication, processing times and common issues.
Read the NZ Apostille Requirements GuideFrequently Asked Questions About Apostilles in New Zealand
These are some of the practical questions people commonly have when preparing New Zealand documents for use overseas.
What is an apostille in New Zealand?
An apostille is an official certificate that verifies the signature, stamp or seal on certain New Zealand documents so they can be used in countries that recognise the Hague Apostille Convention.
Who issues apostilles in New Zealand?
New Zealand apostilles are issued through the Department of Internal Affairs Authentication Unit. NZ Document Assist coordinates the administrative process but does not issue apostilles.
Do I need to send my original document for an apostille?
It depends on the type of document. Some documents must be supplied as originals, while others may be accepted as properly notarised copies or in another approved format. The overseas organisation may also insist on an original even where another format might otherwise be accepted.
Can I get an e-apostille instead of a paper apostille?
Yes. New Zealand offers both paper apostilles and electronic e-apostilles. The receiving organisation should determine which format you choose because some organisations accept electronic documents while others require the physical paper version.
If I get an e-apostille, do I still need my original document?
Possibly. Choosing an e-apostille does not automatically remove the document requirements that apply to the underlying document. Whether an original, electronic document or notarised copy is needed depends on the document type and the requirements of the organisation receiving it.
Will I get my original documents back?
Documents submitted for processing are normally returned using the return details provided with the application. If you need documents delivered overseas, we can also help coordinate appropriate return or courier arrangements.
Does a PDF document need to be notarised before it can be apostilled?
Not necessarily. Some electronically issued documents can be processed in their permitted electronic form, while other documents may first need notarisation. The answer depends on what the document is, who issued it and the applicable document requirements.
Can a Justice of the Peace certify my document for an apostille?
Not where the document is required to be notarised for the apostille or authentication process. In that situation, the document must be notarised by a New Zealand Notary Public. A Justice of the Peace or ordinary solicitor certification is not accepted as a substitute for that particular requirement.
Does my birth or marriage certificate need to be recently issued?
Sometimes. The organisation overseas may specify that a birth, marriage or other certificate must have been issued within a certain period. This is separate from the general apostille process, so it is worth checking the receiving organisation's instructions before sending the document.
Do I need my document translated before getting an apostille?
It depends on the destination and the organisation requesting the document. Some overseas authorities require translations while others do not. Translation can also affect how the document needs to be prepared, so it is best to establish this before processing starts.
Can I arrange a New Zealand apostille if I am living overseas?
In many cases, yes. New Zealand documents can often be coordinated using electronic communication, post and international courier services. The exact method depends on the document and whether an original or other physical document is required.
How long does a New Zealand apostille take?
Standard processing is currently within 15 working days once a complete eligible application has been received. Eligible urgent applications can currently be processed within 5 working days. An additional NZ$120 urgent-processing fee applies.
Can several documents be apostilled together?
Sometimes. Depending on what the documents are and how the overseas organisation requires them to be presented, documents may be handled individually or as a set. We can check the administrative handling requirements before arranging the application.
What if the embassy or overseas organisation gives me different instructions?
Follow the requirements of the organisation that will ultimately receive your documents. Overseas authorities can impose their own rules about document age, originals, translations, paper versus electronic apostilles and how several documents should be presented. Send us the instructions you received and we can take them into account when coordinating the administrative process.
I am not sure whether I need an apostille, authentication or notarisation. What should I do?
Send us the document type, the country where it will be used and any instructions you have received. We can help identify the practical administrative route and coordinate the appropriate document-handling steps.
NZ Document Assist provides administrative document assistance and coordination services only. We are not a government agency, law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser. We do not provide legal or immigration advice and we do not issue apostilles or authentication certificates.