Revised Policy – Gender Identity –
Website Information CHANGING SEX / GENDER DETAILS
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A passport may now be issued in an applicant’s preferred sex / gender of M
(male), F (female) or X (indeterminate/unspecified), without the need to
amended these details on your birth or citizenship record.
What do I need to apply for a passport in my preferred sex / gender
identity?
• You will need to complete the New Adult application form
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(Link
http://www.passports.govt.nz/vwluResources/adult-new-
form.pdf/$file/adult-new-form.pdf )
• Complete a Statutory Declaration indicating
the
The sex / gender identity you wish to be displayed in your
passport (M,F or X)
How long you have maintained your current sex / gender identity
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Applicants must meet all other usual passport requirements.
Applicants under 18 years of Age
Applicants under 18 years of age will be required to provide the following
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additional information.
• A Statutory Declaration from a parent or legal guardian which supports
the change in sex / gender identity in their passport.
• A Statutory Declaration from a registered counsellor / medical
professional which supports this change.
Multiple Changes in Sex / Gender Identity
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While this new policy was developed to remove unnecessary obstacles for
applicants wanting to record a change in their gender identity, we would like
applicants to note that multiple changes in gender identity are likely to have 1982
implications for a person at overseas border controls or may affect a person’s
ability to confirm their identity in the wider community.
The Department recommends that prior to applying for a change in sex /
gender details in your passport, that applicants carefully consider these
implications.
Where there has been more than one change in gender identity, applicants
are required to submit their previous passport with their passport application.
This passport will be cancelled, defaced and returned to you.
The Department of Internal Affairs reserves the right to request the return of
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the passport or travel document at any time.
The gender details recorded on your New Zealand birth record
This new passport policy has no effect on the Births, Deaths and Marriages
and Relationships Registration Act 1995 which allows for an adult or guardian
of an eligible child to apply to the New Zealand Family Court for a declaration
to have their birth record reflect their nominated gender.
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Further information regarding this process is available on
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-
Marriages-Information-for-Transgender-Applicants?OpenDocument)
the
Changing the gender details recorded on your Citizenship Certificate
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Only the passports policy has been reviewed. The new passports policy has no
effect on the process for changing gender details recorded on a citizenship certificate
or evidentiary certificate.
A citizenship certificate or evidentiary certificate may be issued with the sex field
shown as different from the sex shown on the applicant's birth certificate if:
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• the applicant has provided a Family Court declaration, or
• the applicant has provided a court order or other official documentation from
another country recognising the gender identity they are currently
maintaining, which is assessed as being suitable, or
• the applicant is of indeterminate sex and wishes for their certificate to be
issued showing either male or female sex, and
• the applicant has changed his or her name by name change declaration,
deed poll or similar instrument, to a name more suitable to a member of the
nominated sex, or has a unisex name, and
• the applicant lives as a member of the nominated sex and has produced a
statutory declaration to this effect.
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Further information regarding this process is available on
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http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/Citpol15Transgendercitapp/$file/Citpol15T
ransgenderandintersexcitapp.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply Online or use the Renewal application form?
No. As you are changing the details recorded in your passport – you are not
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eligible to apply Online or use the Adult Renewal form.
Once you have had your passport issued in your new sex / gender identity,
then you will be eligible to use the Online and Adult Renewal processes in the
future, as long as you are not changing any further details.
I still have validity remaining on my current passport. Can this be
transferred to a new passport in my new sex / gender identity?
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No. Full application fees are payable. The remaining validity may not be
transferred to a new passport.
How long do I have to maintain my new sex /gender identity, to be
eligible to apply for a passport in this gender?
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There is no defined timeframe.
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Does the processing timeframe change? Will it take longer to issue my
passport?
No. Standard processing timeframes apply. When we have all the
information we need and the correct payment, we will process you application
within the following timeframes.
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Standard Service - up to 10 working
Urgent Service – up to 3 working days
What do I need to do to change the sex / gender identity on other
documents, e.g. driver license?
You will need to contact the relevant agency for advice on how to update their
records.
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Who can witness and sign the Statutory Declaration?
The Statutory Declaration may be witnessed and signed by
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• A Justice of the Peace
• A member of Parliament
• A lawyer
• A registered Legal Executive (Fellow of NZILE)
• A Government Officer authorised to take statutory declarations.
Government Officers are available to witness a Statutory Declaration at the
following Department of Internal Affairs offices (link to office locations).
Government Officers are also available at our Sydney and London offices or
at your nearest New Zealand Embassy or High Commission.
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under
the Official
Information
Act 1982
