# FAQs: Attesting New Zealand Documents > Frequently asked questions about obtaining Apostille in New Zealand and to legalize New Zealand documents for use in other countries - birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, academic documents and more. **Source** [New Zealand](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-attestation-FAQs)> **Related:** [Apostille New Zealand Documents for international use](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-Legalization-Services) · [Apostille New Zealand Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) · [Apostille New Zealand Criminal Conviction History](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-attest-background-checks) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### Can New Zealand documents be legalized by Apostille? Yes - New Zealand is a member of the Apostille Convention. New Zealand documents can be legalized for use abroad with an Apostille Stamp when destined for other signatory countries without additional certification by the destination country. When New Zealand documents are required for non-apostille countries, such as United Arab Emirates - Qatar - Thailand - Taiwan - Vietnam they need additional authentication by the embassy of the destination country. For further information about Apostille certification in New Zealand, see: [New Zealand Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-Legalization-Services) ### What types of documents can be legalized in New Zealand for use abroad? Official documents that can be legalized in New Zealand with an Apostille stamp include birth, death, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, criminal record and police certificates, company registration and tax documents, court documents, university and academic diplomas, certificates signed by registered doctors etc., documents issued by government authorities. Other documents may require prior certification by a notary or other authority. Documents required for submission to countries which have not acceded to the Apostille Convention will require additional attestation by the embassy of the recipient country.To confirm whether your document is eligible for apostille authentication in New Zealand, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) and Isarey’ll check your document free of charge. For further information about Isarey's New Zealand apostille services and for assistance obtaining official copies of New Zealand documents, see: [New Zealand Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-Legalization-Services) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's New Zealand Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### What is a New Zealand Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A New Zealand Apostille is a certificate that is affixed to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in New Zealand and confirms the capacity of that official. New Zealand Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a New Zealand document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in New Zealand (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) ### What is document legalization in New Zealand? Document legalization (or attestation) is a procedure which authenticates a public New Zealand document so that it can be submitted in another country for official or legal purposes - for example, if you need to submit a New Zealand birth certificate to the authority or embassy of another country, it will often need to be legalized. Legalizing a document in New Zealand certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in New Zealand and confirms the capacity of that official. - Because New Zealand is a member of the Apostille Convention, New Zealand documents can be legalized by means of an Apostille Stamp when being submitted to countries that are also members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - If a New Zealand document is required for a country that is not a member of the Apostille Convention, it will need to be legalized both by New Zealand authorities and by the embassy of the recipient country (embassy in New Zealand or non-resident embassy accredited to New Zealand). See: [Document legalization - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document_legalization) ### What services does Isarey Certification Services provide in New Zealand? Isarey Certification Services provides a range of services in New Zealand including Apostille and legalization services, notarization services, certified translation services and document retrieval services. ### What do New Zealand Apostilles and legalizations look like? New Zealand Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of New Zealand documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [New Zealand Criminal Conviction History with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/New-Zealand-criminal-conviction-history-Apostille) - [New Zealand Marriage Certificate with Apostille Stamp](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/New-Zealand-Marriage-Certificate-Apostille) See [What does an Apostille look like?](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/FAQs-Document-Attestation#faq_236_s) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain an apostille for a New Zealand birth, death or marriage certificate? Birth and marriage and death certificates issued in New Zealand can be officially authenticated or apostilled by submitting the original to the Department of Internal Affairs' Authentication Unit. If you need a replacement copy, these can be ordered online: - [Order a New Zealand marriage certificate](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/get-a-marriage-certificate/) - [Order a New Zealand birth certificate](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/proving-and-protecting-your-identity/order-a-birth-certificate/) - [Order a New Zealand death certificate](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/death-and-bereavement/get-a-death-certificate/) - Isarey offers a complete apostille service in New Zealand; Isarey will obtain replacement certificates on your behalf and obtain all necessary authentications (including certified translation where necessary) so that your certificate is valid for use abroad. [New Zealand birth, death and marriage certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) ### I need an apostille for my New Zealand birth, death or marriage certificate - do I need to provide an original certificate? Original certificates must be presented to the Authentication Unit in order to receive an Apostille. Isarey can order new certificates on your behalf directly from the New Zealand Government and obtain an Apostille. See: [New Zealand birth, death and marriage certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) Certificates can also be ordered online (allow 1 -2 weeks for processing) and then submitted for apostille certification: [Order a New Zealand marriage certificate](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/get-a-marriage-certificate/) [Order a New Zealand birth certificate](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/proving-and-protecting-your-identity/order-a-birth-certificate/) [Order a New Zealand death certificate](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/death-and-bereavement/get-a-death-certificate/) ## Criminal record certificates ### I need an apostille for my New Zealand criminal record certificate - do I need to provide an original certificate? If you [Apply for your New Zealand criminal record check online](https://www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records/get-your-own/), you’ll receive your results in a PDF sent by email. The Authentication Unit will accept the PDF if it has the Ministry of Justice’s blue letterhead, so there is no need to present a paper original unless specifically requested by the recipient authority. ### How can I obtain an apostille for my New Zealand Police Background Check? A New Zealand criminal record check can be officially authenticated or apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs' Authentication Unit for use abroad or for presentation to a foreign embassy in support of a visa or residency application. [Apply for your New Zealand criminal record check online](https://www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records/get-your-own/). You will receive an email with your criminal conviction history certificate as a PDF that can be forwarded to the Authentication Unit.Isarey can assist with arranging apostilles, authentication and embassy attestation of your Criminal Record Certificate in New Zealand. See: [NZ Apostille Service - police checks](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/New-Zealand-attest-background-checks) ### How can I obtain my New Zealand Criminal Record Certificate to use abroad? [Apply for your New Zealand criminal record check online](https://www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records/get-your-own/) A PDF certificate will be issued in around 3 working days and sent to you by email. You will need to upload valid identification (e.g. a New Zealand or overseas passport). FAQs: [FAQs - New Zealand criminal history checks](https://www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records/frequently-asked-questions/) ## Academic documents ### How can I obtain an apostille for my New Zealand University Degree and Transcripts? To obtain an Apostille on New Zealand University records, you can provide the Authentication Unit with a link to your document using My eQuals. University records from Canterbury, Victoria, Lincoln, Massey and Waikato, and other tertiary institution records need to be notarized before submission. Additional procedures apply when certifying academic documents for presentation in [Saudi Arabia](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Saudi-Arabia-diplomas-attestation) and CL149#. ### How can I obtain an apostille for my New Zealand School Records? To certify your New Zealand school records for use abroad, they must first be notarized by a [New Zealand Notary Public](https://notarypublic.org.nz/find-a-notary/) (do not get them certified by a solicitor). After notarization, they can be submitted to the Authentication Unit for apostille certification.