Many countries let a citizen parent register their New Zealand-born children's births, so the children can claim citizenship. The usual list asks for the children's birth certificates and the parents' marriage certificate, apostilled and translated. If the parents are not married, there is no marriage certificate to send, and the authority may require formal paternity statements from the parents instead. Signed in New Zealand, those statements are witnessed by a NZ Notary Public and apostilled.
About this case. This is an NZ Document Assist case, still in progress. The client is called Anna here to protect her identity, and her country of birth is not named.
What happened
Anna lives in New Zealand with her two young children. She holds dual citizenship and wanted to register the children's births with the registry of her country of birth. Once registered, the children can apply for citizenship certificates straight away or later, as they choose.
The list Anna was given asked for the children's birth certificates and a marriage certificate, all apostilled and translated.
What we spotted
- No marriage certificate. Anna and her partner are not married, so that document does not exist.
- The father is named on only one child's birth certificate. The other certificate shows the mother only.
Registration through a citizen mother does not normally depend on the father's details. But the consular guidance says that where a child is born outside marriage, the parents may have to make formal statements about paternity before the registration can go ahead.
Our advice
We asked Anna to get either the authority's prescribed form or its exact wording for the statement, so it is signed once and correctly. Because Anna does not hold a current passport from her country of birth, she cannot have her signature verified at that country's embassy or consulate. Instead she follows the same route as her New Zealand partner: signing before a NZ Notary Public, using her New Zealand passport or driver licence as identification, and then an apostille.
We are waiting on the authority's form and will guide the rest of the process from there.
The steps for unmarried parents
The dashed step depends on what the registry asks for.
- Check the document listAgainst what you actually have.
- Order birth certificatesThrough BDM Online, one per child.
- Get the paternity formOr the exact wording, from the registry.
- Sign before a notaryNZ passport or driver licence as ID.
- Apostille and translateEach certificate and each statement.
- Lodge with the registryThrough the embassy, consulate or by post.
What each document costs, all in
Per document, returned in New Zealand. Translator fees depend on the language and are quoted first.
Each child's birth certificate
Ordered from BDM and apostilled
| Our BDM ordering | $15 |
| BDM certificate fee | $35 |
| Our apostille service | $79 |
| DIA apostille fee | $37 |
| DIA courier within NZ | $7 |
| Our courier handling | $25 |
| Total | $198 |
Each paternity statement
Signed before a NZ Notary Public, then apostilled
| 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 |
Translation
Per document, certified
| Our translation coordination | $39 |
| Translator's fee | Quoted |
| Total | $39 + translator |
All amounts NZ$ 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.
Checklist for unmarried parents
| Usually asked for | If you are not married |
|---|---|
| Parents' marriage certificate | Not available. Ask the registry what it accepts instead, often a paternity statement |
| Children's birth certificates | Still needed, apostilled and translated. Check whether the father is named on each one |
| Parents' ID and proof of citizenship | Still needed |
| Statements signed abroad | Signed before a NZ Notary Public, then apostilled, unless you can attend the embassy or consulate with that country's passport |
Why the father's details matter
A citizen mother can usually register her child on her own citizenship. But if the father is named on one certificate and not another, or the parents are not married, the registry may want the paternity confirmed in writing before it records him. Asking for the exact form first avoids a statement being signed, notarised and apostilled in the wrong wording.
Embassy or Notary Public?
If you hold a current passport from the country concerned, you can often sign the statement at its embassy or consulate. If you do not, or your partner is a New Zealander, a NZ Notary Public verifies the signature and DIA apostilles the notary's seal. See Notary + Apostille.
We prepare and coordinate New Zealand documents. Registration and citizenship decisions are made by the overseas authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register my child's birth abroad if I am not married?
Usually, yes, through the citizen parent. The registry may ask for formal paternity statements instead of a marriage certificate. Ask it for the prescribed form.
What is a paternity statement?
A formal statement by the parents confirming who the child's father is. Some countries require it before recording the father when a child is born outside marriage.
Who witnesses the statement in New Zealand?
A NZ Notary Public verifies the signature, then DIA apostilles it. If you hold that country's passport, its embassy or consulate may also be able to do it.
Do I need a passport from my country of birth?
Not for the notary route. Your New Zealand passport or driver licence can be used as identification.
What if the father is only named on one child's certificate?
Tell the registry. It may affect what statements it asks for. We check each certificate before anything is apostilled.
Can you help with the whole process?
Yes. We order the birth certificates, book the notary, lodge the apostilles and arrange translation, in the right order.
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.