Application for New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport - Child (15 years or under) - DRG001 - Guide notes

Sep 19, 2026

Register a child (15 years or under) for New Zealand citizenship by descent using form DRG001, with an option to apply for a New Zealand passport as part of the process. The notes explain who can apply, including eligibility where at least one parent is a New Zealand citizen (not by descent) at the child’s birth, and how surrogacy or overseas adoption can affect requirements and documentation. It also provides instructions for completing relevant sections, witness signing, photo specifications, processing timeframe resources, and contact details for form enquiries.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Before you apply

Who can apply

If your child was born as a result of a surrogacy arrangement

If you adopted your child overseas

How to fill in the form

Section 2: Child’s New Zealand parent

Section 5: Witness section

Photo requirements

Timeframe

Quick quiz

Application for New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport Child (15 years or under) DRG001 Use this form to register your child’s New Zealand citizenship by descent. You can apply for your child’s New Zealand passport as part of this application. If your child is aged 16 years or older, use the DRG002 Application for New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport —Adult form. Before you apply Who can apply You can apply for registration of New Zealand citizenship by descent for your child if: • they were born outside New Zealand, and • at least 1 parent was a New Zealand citizen (otherwise than by descent) at the time of their birth. To be a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent, the claim parent needs to have either been born in New Zealand or received a grant of New Zealand citizenship. If your child was born as a result of a surrogacy arrangement The Citizenship Act 1977 requires us to establish legal parentage of a person in line with the Status of Children Act 1969. We may request additional information. Before applying, go to our website for more [information:](information: govt. nz/surrogacy-and-adoption)[ ](information: govt. nz/surrogacy-and-adoption)[govt. nz/surrogacy-and-adoption](information: govt. nz/surrogacy-and-adoption) If you adopted your child overseas You may be able to apply for New Zealand citizenship by descent for your child. At least 1 of the adoptive parents needs to have been a New Zealand citizen (otherwise than by descent) at the time the adoption was finalised. Your child’s adoption must also be either: • an overseas adoption that meets the requirements of section 17 of the New Zealand Adoption Act 1955, or • an intercountry adoption between countries that are signed up to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption —the adoption must meet the requirements of the Convention. You will need to provide additional documents. See ‘Documents you need to provide’ on page 4. Before applying, go to our website for more [information:](information: govt. nz/nz-citizenship-if-adopted)[ ](information: govt. nz/nz-citizenship-if-adopted)[govt. nz/nz-citizenship-if-adopted](information: govt. nz/nz-citizenship-if-adopted) How to fill in the form The parent who is a New Zealand citizen (otherwise than by descent) must fill out ‘Section 2: Child’s New Zealand parent’ on page 8 to page 9. If your child has 2 parents who are both New Zealand citizens (otherwise than by descent), either parent can fill out this section. Contact us if the child’s birth mother or claim parent is unable to sign the application. You will also need a witness to complete ‘Section 5: Witness section’ on page 15 to page 18. Last updated 28 August 2026 NGĀ ARATOHU • GUIDE NOTES • 1 Photo requirements You will need to provide 2 identical passport-style photos of your child with this application. On the back of 1 of the photos, the child’s witness will need to write the child’s full name, sign their own name and write the date signed. Do not attach the photos to the application form. We can only accept undamaged photos. Your child’s passport-style photos must: • be recent colour photos, less than 6 months old • be a full front, close-up view of the head and shoulders • be taken so that the head, including hair, is 80% of the image height • show a neutral expression (not smiling or frowning) with their mouth closed • show the child looking straight at the camera (their head must not be tilted) • show child’s eyes open and clearly visible, with no hair, glasses frames or sunglasses obscuring the eyes —tinted prescription glasses may be worn as long as the eyes are still visible • be a true image and not altered in any way • be clear, sharp and in focus with minimum reﬂective light on face — no redeye • have a plain light coloured background (not white) • be a good quality colour photo on high quality photographic paper, with no ink marks on the image

FAQs

Who can apply to register a child’s New Zealand citizenship by descent (DRG001)?

You can apply if the child was born outside New Zealand and at least one parent was a New Zealand citizen (not by descent) at the time of the child’s birth.

What extra considerations apply if the child’s birth involved surrogacy or legal parentage issues?

The Citizenship Act 1977 requires establishing legal parentage in line with the Status of Children Act 1969, and the department may request additional information.

What are the requirements for the child’s passport-style photos and witness actions?

Provide 2 identical recent colour photos. One witness must write the child’s full name, sign, and date the back of one photo, and the photos must meet detailed criteria on appearance, background, and size.

Sep 19, 2026

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