HELP WITH NEW ZEALAND DOCUMENTS FOR OVERSEAS USE
These guides answer common questions, but our service is designed so you do not have to become an expert in the process. Contact NZ Document Assist and tell us what document you have, which country it is going to and what you have been asked to provide.
Send us your document details and destination country. We’ll help identify the likely next steps and explain what we need from you.
Contact NZ Document Assist Call +64 22 100 3242
Choose the document or question that matches your situation
For the broad overview, read Documents for Overseas Use. If you are deciding between the two main legalisation routes, see Apostille vs Authentication NZ. For apostille preparation, check NZ Apostille Requirements.
Not Sure Where to Start?
You do not need to know whether you need an apostille, authentication, notarisation or translation before contacting us. Send us the document details and destination country and we’ll help identify the likely pathway.
Ask Us What You NeedNZ Apostille Requirements
A simple overview of the New Zealand apostille process and the issues that can affect your documents.
View GuideApostille Auckland
Based in Auckland and need a New Zealand document apostilled for overseas use? See our Auckland-specific guide to apostille coordination, document preparation, notary and translation requirements, and return delivery.
View Auckland Apostille HelpDocuments for Overseas Use
A practical starting point for preparing New Zealand documents for use overseas, including apostille, authentication, certification, translation and delivery.
View GuideWho Can Certify Documents in NZ?
Understand when ordinary certification may be enough and when an NZ Notary Public is required.
View GuideJP vs Notary Public NZ
A practical explanation of the difference, especially for documents being prepared for overseas use.
View GuideNZ Documents by Country
Which countries take an apostille and which need authentication, with a guide for each country.
NZ documents by countryNZ Documents for India
OCI cards, power of attorney for property in India, degrees and police certificates.
NZ documents for IndiaNZ Documents for the Philippines
Report of Birth and Marriage, Special Power of Attorney and why a JP is not accepted.
NZ documents for the PhilippinesNZ Documents for Vietnam
Vietnam accepts an apostille since 11 September 2026. Work permits, the 6-month police certificate rule and marriage.
NZ documents for VietnamNZ Documents for China
Work permit police certificate and degree, now apostilled instead of legalised.
NZ documents for ChinaUAE Attestation from NZ
Why the UAE refuses an apostille, and how DIA, UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation fit together.
UAE attestation from NZE-2 Visa Documents for Korea
Criminal record and degree apostilled, timed to Korea's 6-month rule.
E-2 visa documents for KoreaItalian Citizenship Documents from NZ
Registering a NZ marriage or birth with Italy, and what changed for by-descent claims in 2025.
Italian citizenship documentsIrish Citizenship by Descent from NZ
The three-generation paper trail for the Foreign Births Register. No apostille needed.
Irish citizenship by descentNZ Documents for Kiwis in Australia
What Home Affairs, banks and super funds mean when they ask for a NZ document, and how to get it from Australia.
NZ documents in AustraliaCroatian Citizenship Documents from NZ
What Croatia asks for, why parents' names must match Croatian records, and how to fix a surname mismatch before the apostille.
View GuideWhat Is an Apostille?
The meaning, what an apostille looks like, what it does and does not prove, and how New Zealand documents get one.
View GuideDIA Apostille: How the Process Works
DIA's form, fees, where to send it, processing times and the reasons applications come back.
View GuideReal Cases
Anonymised examples of document problems we caught early: an out-of-date birth certificate, unmarried parents registering children abroad, and a late police certificate.
See the CasesReal Case: Police Certificate Delay
A NZ police certificate arrived too late for a consulate appointment. How to time yours so you do not lose five weeks.
Read the CaseCertified Copy of a Passport NZ
Help understanding certified passport copies and the stricter requirements that can apply for apostille or authentication.
View GuideApostille vs Authentication NZ
The destination country affects which process applies. We can help you check the correct pathway.
View GuideApostille Birth Certificate NZ
Preparing a New Zealand birth certificate for overseas use? We can coordinate the apostille process for you.
View GuideName Change Birth Certificate NZ
Changed your name? Your new birth certificate shows both names. We get the right one accepted overseas.
View GuideDeath Certificate NZ
Estate, pension or bank overseas? We order the death certificate, apostille it and send it.
View GuidePaper vs E-Apostille NZ
Not sure whether the receiving organisation wants a paper apostille or electronic apostille? Start here or ask us.
View GuideApostille Marriage Certificate NZ
Help with New Zealand marriage certificates being prepared for use overseas.
View GuideApostille Education Documents NZ
Degrees, diplomas, transcripts and other education records can have different preparation requirements.
View GuideApostille Criminal Record NZ
If an overseas organisation asks for a police clearance or criminal record, we can request your NZ criminal record and coordinate the rest of the NZ document pathway.
View GuideApostille Power of Attorney NZ
Powers of attorney require particular preparation for the DIA process. We can coordinate the notary and apostille steps.
View GuideApostille Divorce Papers NZ
Help preparing New Zealand dissolution or divorce documents for overseas use.
View GuideCertificate of No Impediment NZ
Getting married overseas? We can help coordinate the New Zealand documents, apostille/authentication and translation steps.
View GuideWe can help coordinate the whole document process
Depending on your documents and destination, the process can involve apostille or authentication, an NZ Notary Public, translation and courier or document-return arrangements. Instead of trying to work through every requirement yourself, contact us first. We can help you understand the likely pathway and coordinate the administrative steps that apply to your case.
That is exactly what we are here for. Tell us what document you have and where it is going.
Get Help With Your Documents +64 22 100 3242
NZ Document Assist provides administrative document assistance and coordination services only. We are not a government agency, law firm, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace service or licensed immigration adviser, and we do not provide legal or immigration advice.