Identity referee or witness

When you apply for your passport, you need an identity referee or witness to confirm your identity.

Who can be an identity referee or witness

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.

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.

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