A free, comprehensive resource to help you order birth, marriage, death and other official certificates in New Zealand β with real fees, processing times and step-by-step instructions.
Informational website only. DocuServices NZ is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the New Zealand Government or the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). We do not process or sell certificates. For official applications, always use certificates.services.govt.nz β the official NZ Government portal.
All New Zealand vital records certificates are issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM), part of the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Each certificate type has different requirements, fees and privacy rules.
Certificate vs. Printout β which do I need?
A certificate is the official legal document with a BDM stamp β required for legal, immigration or official administrative purposes. A printout is a copy of the register entry, usually with more information, ideal for family research and can be emailed to you. Certificates must be posted or collected in person.
NZ certificates orderable worldwide via official portal
Death certificates for people who died less than 50 years ago have access restrictions. You must prove you are a close relative, an executor/trustee, or have a legitimate legal need. These applications cannot be completed online β download the PDF form from govt.nz.
Births 100+ years ago, deaths 50+ years ago, and marriages 80+ years ago are public records. Search and order online at bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz. Historical printouts can be emailed directly to you as a PDF.
Birth and marriage certificates are the most commonly requested documents for immigration applications, passport renewals and official identity verification in New Zealand and internationally.
All fees are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD), current as of 2025. Fees are per certificate per order and are set by the Department of Internal Affairs.
| Certificate / Service | Within NZ | International |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate (standard) | $33 | $53β$58 * |
| Birth Certificate (bilingual) | $33 | $53β$58 * |
| Marriage Certificate | $33 | $53β$58 * |
| Civil Union Certificate | $33 | $53β$58 * |
| Death Certificate | $33 | $53β$58 * |
| Name Change registration | $170 | $170 |
| New certificate after name change | $33 | $53β$58 * |
| Change of birth record | $55 | $55 |
| Standard post (NZ) | Free | β |
| Courier (within NZ only) | +$5.30 | β |
* International fees: $58 for Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Libya, Macedonia, Malta, Pakistan, Switzerland, Serbia and Ukraine. $53 for the rest of the world. Standard international post is included.
Most applications process within 1β2 weeks. Allow 3 weeks for NZ delivery and 4 weeks for international orders before contacting BDM. Current processing timeframes are updated regularly on the BDM website.
If your certificate will be used in another country (e.g. for a foreign visa, marriage or legal proceeding), you may need an apostille β an international authentication stamp issued by the DIA. Request it alongside your certificate order to save time.
If you need a birth certificate for a government benefit and cannot afford the fee, Work and Income NZ (WINZ) may be able to help. Contact your local WINZ office before applying to request assistance with the cost.
BDM Online accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Prezzy Cards. You can also pay by the same card types when applying by phone. No cash payments are accepted for online or phone orders.
Kiwis abroad who need their NZ birth or marriage certificate for visa applications, residency permits, local official processes or foreign citizenship applications.
Families dealing with the loss of a loved one who need death certificates for legal, financial and administrative processes in New Zealand or internationally.
People tracing New Zealand family history who need access to historical birth, death and marriage records going back to the 1840s through the BDM Historical Records system.
The DIA Births, Deaths and Marriages registry has maintained New Zealand's official civil registration records since 1848. All certificates are issued with Crown authority.
