Quick answer: how do you get a certified copy of a passport in NZ?
For many New Zealand purposes, a passport copy may be certified by a person accepted by the organisation requesting it, such as a Justice of the Peace, lawyer or Notary Public.
There is no single certification rule for every organisation. If the passport copy is for use overseas — especially if it needs an apostille or authentication — different and stricter requirements can apply.
The safest first step is to ask the organisation receiving the passport copy exactly who it accepts as a certifier and whether it has required wording, identification details or recency rules. If you are unsure who can certify it, see Who Can Certify Documents in NZ?.
What is a certified copy of a passport?
A certified passport copy is a copy of the passport that an accepted certifier has compared with the original and endorsed to confirm that it is a true copy of the original they sighted.
Certification does not create a second passport and does not by itself make the copy suitable for every overseas process. It simply confirms the relationship between the copy and the original document, subject to the receiving organisation accepting that certifier.
Who can certify a passport copy in New Zealand?
Justice of the Peace (JP)
A JP is commonly used for certified copies in New Zealand where the receiving organisation accepts JP certification.
Lawyer or solicitor
A lawyer may be accepted for many domestic certification purposes, depending on the recipient's rules.
Notary Public
A New Zealand Notary Public is particularly important for overseas documents where formal notarisation is required.
Other approved certifiers
Some organisations accept additional categories of certifier. Always use the specific list supplied by the organisation receiving your passport copy.
For a broader explanation of the difference between certifiers, see our JP vs Notary Public NZ comparison.
Can a JP certify a copy of your passport?
Often, yes — for a New Zealand process where the receiving organisation accepts a JP. But the fact that a JP can certify copies does not mean a JP-certified passport copy will satisfy every organisation or every overseas process.
What if your New Zealand passport needs an apostille or authentication?
For the Department of Internal Affairs Authentication Unit process, the rule is specific. For a New Zealand passport, the Authentication Unit accepts:
- a copy of the passport notarised by a New Zealand Notary Public; or
- the original passport couriered to the Authentication Unit so the Passports Office can make a certified copy.
The Government guidance says the second option can add an extra 5 working days, and a courier bag must be paid for so the original passport can be returned with the processed documents.
Source checked: New Zealand Government Authentication Unit document requirements.
This is different from ordinary passport certification
A JP-certified or ordinary solicitor-certified copy may be perfectly acceptable for some domestic purposes, but DIA says that where notarisation is required for apostille or authentication, the document must be notarised by a New Zealand Notary Public.
Apostille NZ assistance • Document authentication assistance
Do you apostille the passport itself?
An apostille is not simply a stamp placed on your passport because you ask for one. The Authentication Unit must be able to process the document in the form required for its system. For a New Zealand passport, that is why DIA specifies a notarised passport copy or the original-passport route described above.
Whether you actually need an apostille or authentication depends on the country where the document will be used and the requirements of the organisation receiving it. Our NZ Apostille Requirements guide explains the broader process, and Apostille vs Authentication NZ explains which government route may apply.
Certified copy vs notarised copy of a passport
| Type | What it means | Typical point to check |
|---|---|---|
| Certified passport copy | An accepted certifier confirms the copy matches the original passport sighted. | The recipient decides which certifiers it accepts. |
| Notarised passport copy | A New Zealand Notary Public performs a formal notarial act in relation to the copy. | This is the route DIA accepts for a passport copy submitted for apostille/authentication. |
| Apostille / authentication | A government process that verifies the relevant signature, stamp or seal for overseas use. | The required route depends on the destination country and recipient. |
What should be on a certified passport copy?
The exact certification wording and details depend on the receiving organisation. A certifier will generally confirm that they have sighted the original and that the copy is a true copy, then add the information required for that process.
Do not rely on a generic wording template if the recipient has supplied its own certification instructions. For DIA notarisation, the Notary Public must complete a proper Notarial Act, including the required identifying, signature, seal or stamp, date and place details.
Do you need to copy every passport page?
Not necessarily. Some organisations may want only the identity or biodata page, while another process may require additional pages or specific evidence. Follow the recipient's written instructions rather than copying or certifying pages unnecessarily.
Where a document is notarised for the DIA apostille/authentication process, the notarial requirements include making it clear that the Notary Public has seen all pages of the document being notarised.
Can you certify a photocopy without the original passport?
Normally, certification is based on comparing the copy with the original document. If you only have a photocopy, do not assume it can be certified as a true copy of the original. Ask the intended recipient what alternative evidence it will accept.
For the DIA passport route described above, the choices are specifically a copy notarised by an NZ Notary Public or sending the original passport so the Passports Office can make the certified copy.
Does a certified passport copy expire?
There is no single universal expiry period for every certified passport copy. The receiving organisation may require the certification to be recent, or it may have rules about how much validity must remain on the passport itself.
Check those requirements before paying for certification, notarisation, translation or courier handling.
Common mistakes with certified passport copies
- Getting a JP certification before checking whether the recipient accepts a JP.
- Assuming ordinary certification and notarisation are the same thing.
- Using a JP or ordinary solicitor when DIA requires an NZ Notary Public for apostille/authentication.
- Sending the original passport when the recipient only needs a certified copy.
- Sending only a photocopy when the certifier needs to sight the original.
- Using certification wording that does not meet the recipient's instructions.
- Starting an apostille or authentication process before checking the destination country's requirements.
How to get the right passport copy the first time
Identify the receiving organisation
Know exactly who is requesting your passport copy and the country where it will be used.
Check the certification requirement
Confirm who may certify it, which pages are needed, the wording required and whether there is a recency requirement.
Check overseas requirements
If it is for overseas use, establish whether ordinary certification is enough or whether notarisation, apostille, authentication or translation is also required.
Arrange the correct pathway
Use the appropriate certifier or Notary Public and then complete any apostille, authentication, translation and return-delivery steps required.
Using a Passport Copy Overseas? Check the Pathway Before You Certify It
A passport copy that is acceptable for a New Zealand organisation may not meet the requirements of an overseas authority or the DIA apostille/authentication process. The safest approach is to check the required pathway first.
Ordinary Certification
For many domestic purposes, the receiving organisation decides whether it accepts a JP, lawyer, Notary Public or another approved certifier.
Overseas Use
For overseas use, you may need notarisation, apostille, authentication, translation or a combination of steps.
Independent Assistance
NZ Document Assist provides administrative coordination only. We are not a government agency, law firm, Notary Public or Justice of the Peace service.
One Point of Coordination
Where required, we can coordinate the notary appointment, apostille or authentication handling, translation and return logistics.
If you are not sure which pathway applies, see our Documents for Overseas Use guide, How It Works, or send us the passport requirement you have been given.
Frequently asked questions
Who can certify a copy of my passport in NZ?
It depends on the organisation receiving it. A JP, lawyer or Notary Public may be accepted for different purposes. Always check the recipient's approved-certifier rules.
Can a JP certify my New Zealand passport?
A JP may be accepted for many ordinary New Zealand certification purposes. But a JP-certified copy is not the DIA route for a NZ passport being submitted for apostille or authentication.
Who can certify a passport for an apostille in New Zealand?
For a New Zealand passport submitted through the DIA Authentication Unit, DIA accepts a passport copy notarised by an NZ Notary Public. Alternatively, the original passport can be couriered so the Passports Office can make a certified copy.
Can a solicitor certify a passport for apostille?
Not where DIA requires notarisation. DIA's guidance says not to use a JP or ordinary solicitor for a document that needs to be notarised for apostille or authentication.
Do I need an apostille for my passport?
Not automatically. It depends on the destination country and what the receiving organisation requires. Confirm the requirement before arranging certification or notarisation.
Can I send my original passport to DIA?
For the NZ passport process, DIA says you can courier the original passport to the Authentication Unit so the Passports Office can make a certified copy. DIA says this can add an extra 5 working days and return courier arrangements are required.