New Zealand apostilles are issued by the Department of Internal Affairs Authentication Unit in Wellington. You complete DIA's form BDM460, send it with your document by post, courier or in person (by appointment), and pay by card: NZ$37 per apostille, NZ$74 per authentication, plus NZ$120 for urgent. DIA processes within 15 working days (5 urgent) and couriers it back, from NZ$7 within New Zealand.
DIA's fees
| Service | DIA fee |
|---|---|
| Apostille, paper or e-apostille | NZ$37 each |
| Authentication (category A) | NZ$74 each |
| Authentication (category B) | NZ$223 each, plus embassy fees |
| Urgent service (covers up to 5 documents) | NZ$120 |
| Translation by DIA | NZ$95 per standard document |
| Return courier to | DIA fee | Return courier to | DIA fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within New Zealand | NZ$7 | United Kingdom | NZ$53 |
| Australia | NZ$26 | Europe | NZ$54 |
| Asia and Pacific | NZ$36 | USA | NZ$50 |
From DIA's application form BDM460, checked 2 October 2026. Other destinations cost NZ$62–68. If you live outside New Zealand, DIA removes the GST component.
How to send your application
| Method | Details on DIA's form |
|---|---|
| Post | Authentication Unit, PO Box 10526, Wellington 6140 |
| Courier | Authentication Unit, Level 2, 7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington 6011 |
| In person | By appointment at DIA public offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Sydney and London |
Pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Prezzy card, entered on the form. DIA asks you not to post cash or email card details. Companies can apply on someone's behalf, which is how we lodge applications for our clients.
The DIA process, step by step
The dashed step only applies to documents DIA needs notarised first.
- Check the documentOriginal, notarised copy or copy, as DIA requires.
- Notarise, if requiredBy a NZ Notary Public, not a JP.
- Complete form BDM460Document details, country, apostille or e-apostille.
- Send and payPost, courier or in person. Card payment on the form.
- DIA processesWithin 15 working days, or 5 urgent.
- ReturnedCouriered to your address, or e-apostille by email.
If we lodge it for you, all in
DIA's own fees are listed in full below. These totals add our service and courier handling.
Original document, returned in NZ
BDM certificates, criminal records, NZQA records
| Our apostille service | $79 |
| DIA apostille fee | $37 |
| DIA courier within NZ | $7 |
| Our courier handling | $25 |
| Total | $148 |
E-apostille, emailed
Secure PDF, no international courier
| Our apostille service | $79 |
| DIA apostille fee | $37 |
| Total | $116 |
Notarised document, returned in NZ
Power of attorney, school, private or medical documents
| Our notary appointment booking | $39 |
| Notary Public's own fee (typical) | $100–175 |
| Our apostille service | $79 |
| DIA apostille fee | $37 |
| DIA courier within NZ | $7 |
| Our courier handling | $25 |
| Total | $287–362 |
Urgent add-on
Apostille or category A within 5 working days
| Our urgent service | $49 |
| DIA urgent fee | $120 |
| Total | +$169 |
All amounts NZ$ incl. GST. Government fees as published by DIA and BDM, checked 2 October 2026; they can change. Your quote shows every amount before any work starts. See all prices.
What DIA needs with your document
The completed form and the document in the form DIA accepts: originals for BDM certificates and criminal records, notarised copies for powers of attorney and private documents, and so on. See the full list in NZ Apostille Requirements.
Why applications come back
- A copy or printout sent where DIA needs the original
- A JP or solicitor certification where DIA needs a Notary Public
- A notarial certificate missing one of the steps DIA lists
- Missing form pages or sections left blank
- Apostille requested for a country that needs authentication
- A translation arranged privately but not notarised
- Urgent requested on an application that needs translation, which DIA does not allow
Applying from overseas
You do not need to be in New Zealand. DIA accepts applications by courier from anywhere, removes GST for overseas residents and couriers the result worldwide. The Sydney and London public offices take appointments too. The catch is getting the original document to Wellington and back, which is where most of the time goes.
Or we handle it
We check the document against DIA's rules, book a notary or order a new BDM certificate if needed, complete the form, lodge it and track it to delivery. Our apostille service is from NZ$79 plus DIA's fees. See Pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the DIA apostille office?
DIA's Authentication Unit is in Wellington. Applications go by post to PO Box 10526, Wellington 6140, by courier to Level 2, 7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington 6011, or in person by appointment at DIA public offices.
Which form do I use for a DIA apostille?
DIA's form BDM460, “Request a document authentication or apostille”, available on govt.nz.
How much does DIA charge for an apostille?
NZ$37 per apostille, paper or e-apostille, plus return courier from NZ$7 within New Zealand. Urgent is NZ$120 extra and covers up to 5 documents.
How long does DIA take to apostille a document?
Within 15 working days, or 5 working days with the urgent service for eligible applications.
Can I drop my documents off in Auckland?
Yes, by appointment at DIA's Auckland public office. Book through govt.nz.
Can someone apply to DIA on my behalf?
Yes. DIA's form allows a company to apply on behalf of a client. We lodge applications this way.
Sources
Official sources checked 2 October 2026:
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.