Civil Records for New Zealand citizens in the United States — 2026

Civil records registration means registering births, marriages and deaths that occurred in the United States with the New Zealand authorities. Essential for citizens of New Zealand living abroad whose family events happen in the U.S.

New Zealand consulates processing civil records

What can be registered?

• Birth registration: children of New Zealand parents born in the U.S. can be registered as New Zealand nationals
• Marriage registration: marriages of New Zealand citizens (or mixed marriages) celebrated in the U.S.
• Death registration: death of New Zealand nationals in the U.S.
• Divorce registration: U.S. divorce decrees for those married in New Zealand

Required documents

• Original U.S. vital record (birth/marriage/death certificate)
• Apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state
• Certified translation to the official language of New Zealand
• Passport and ID of the New Zealand citizens involved
• Application form completed

How to register

Most New Zealand consulates require an appointment to file civil records. The consulate then forwards the registration to the New Zealand civil registry office.

Some consulates accept mail-in applications for civil records. Check the official site of your consulate.

Costs and processing times

Registration fees: typically free or $10-$50 per record. Processing time at the consulate: 2-4 weeks; final registration in New Zealand can take additional months.