Identity referee or witness
When you apply for your passport, you need an identity referee or witness to confirm your identity.
Your identity referee or witness must:
- be aged 16 or older
- have known you for more than 1 year, or since birth for a child under 1 year old
- have a current or expired New Zealand passport
- agree to be your referee
- be available if we call or email them to verify details about your application — this will help avoid delays.
Your identity referee or witness must not:
- be part of your immediate or extended family (this includes cousins, in-laws and ex-spouses)
- be your partner or spouse
- live at the same address as you.
If you cannot find a suitable identity referee or witness, contact us.
If you are registering as a citizen by descent and applying for a passport, there is more information on the application form about who can be a witness.
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What is an identity referee?
If you are applying for your passport online, you need an identity referee.
You will need to provide the referee's:
- current or expired New Zealand passport details
- full name
- phone number
- date of birth
- home address
- email address.
Your identity referee does not need to:
- sign or complete a form
- sign your photo.
What is a witness?
If you are applying for your first passport by post or in person, you need a witness.
You will need to provide the witness’s:
- current or expired New Zealand passport details
- full name
- home address
- date of birth
- phone number.
This person must:
- complete and sign the witness declaration on your application form
- write your full name, their signature and the date on the back of one of your passport photos.
