Every New Zealand passport application starts with the right form. All official PDFs live at passports.govt.nz — adult renewal, child, and first-time applicant forms are free to download and cover the full range of scenarios from renewals to name changes.

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Adult renewal form size: 2.8MB · Child form size: 3.2MB · Adult new form: PAS310 PDF · Official source: passports.govt.nz · Paper forms available: Adult and child

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Adult renewal form (2.8MB) and new adult PAS310 form available as free PDFs from passports.govt.nz (New Zealand Passports)
  • Child form (3.2MB) covers applicants aged 15 and under (New Zealand Passports)
  • Adult passports issued for 10 years; child passports for 5 years (Govt.nz)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact processing times for standard paper applications not publicly listed
  • Specific 2026 rule changes and their impact on application requirements not yet confirmed
  • Whether upcoming changes will affect current fee structures unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Current PAS310 form carries a version date of 01 July 2025 (DIA Passports)
  • Online application has been the preferred channel since current guidance was published (New Zealand Passports)
4What’s next
  • Download the correct PDF, complete it, print if using paper, submit online or by post (Citizens Advice Bureau)
  • Standard adult passport costs NZD$247.00; urgent processing is NZD$494.00 (New Zealand Passports)

The table below consolidates the core facts you need before downloading any form.

Detail Value
Primary source www.passports.govt.nz/forms
Adult form PAS310 PDF
Child form age 15 and under
Renewal size 2.8MB
Paper application Download and print

How can I download a passport application form online?

All official New Zealand passport PDFs are hosted on passports.govt.nz. The specific form you need depends on your situation — whether you’re renewing an existing passport, applying for the first time, or applying on behalf of a child.

Adult renewal form

  • The renewal form is a 2.8MB PDF available at passports.govt.nz/paper-application-forms (New Zealand Passports)
  • Designed for adults 16 years and older renewing an existing passport
  • Includes Section 8 for statutory declaration

Child application form

  • Child form (3.2MB) covers applicants aged 15 and under (New Zealand Passports)
  • Requires parental consent from a parent or legal guardian
  • Paper form only — no online child application option currently available

New passport form

  • PAS310 (Adult-new-v2.pdf) is the form for first-time adult applicants (DIA Passports)
  • Version dated 01 July 2025 (DIA Passports)
  • Also covers name changes, lost/stolen/damaged passports

The pattern is straightforward: three distinct PDFs cover three applicant scenarios. Download the right one the first time and you skip the back-and-forth with the Passport Office.

The upshot

Three distinct PDFs cover three applicant scenarios: renewal, child, and new adult. Download the right one the first time and you skip the back-and-forth with the Passport Office.

What do you need to get a NZ passport?

NZ passports are issued exclusively to New Zealand citizens (New Zealand Passports). The supporting documents and requirements shift slightly depending on whether you’re renewing or applying for the first time.

Required documents

  • Two identical recent colour photos (witness signs back of one) (DIA Passports)
  • Identity referee or witness (must be over 16 with a valid NZ passport) (DIA Passports)
  • Previous passport details (for renewals)
  • Payment information
  • Delivery address for the new passport

Supporting documents

  • Two supporting documents are standard for adult applications
  • For those born in Niue, Cook Islands, or Tokelau: original birth certificate required (DIA Passports)
  • If born in New Zealand: no entitlement document required (DIA Passports)

Citizenship proof

  • Citizenship by descent requires form DRG002 for adults 16+ (Govt.nz)
  • Must include full official state-issued birth certificate with name, place/date of birth, gender, and parents’ names (Govt.nz)
  • Children use DRG001 form for citizenship by descent (Govt.nz)

Having the right documents staged before you start filling out the form prevents incomplete applications — the single biggest cause of processing delays.

What to watch

Immigration NZ does not handle passport applications — direct all queries to the Department of Internal Affairs via govt.nz.

How to Apply for Passport Online and Offline?

New Zealand residents can choose between submitting an online application or mailing a printed paper form. The online route is faster and the government recommends it as the default approach.

Online steps

  • Log in via RealMe (government’s trusted digital identity service) (Govt.nz)
  • Upload a digital passport photo
  • Nominate an identity referee
  • Pay with a card
  • Receive passport by courier or pick up

Paper form process

  • Download the correct PDF from passports.govt.nz
  • Complete all sections including statutory declaration in Section 8
  • Print the form (follow guidelines at cab.org.nz for paper quality and sizing) (Citizens Advice Bureau)
  • Mail to the Passport Office or drop off in person

Submission locations

  • Online: via passports.govt.nz from anywhere in the world
  • Paper: mail to Passports Office, or submit at a participating NZ Post outlet
  • Overseas applicants: apply online; report stolen passports to local police first (MFAT NZ Embassy Germany)

The implication: online applications skip the postal leg and enter processing immediately. Paper applications add a mailing window on both ends and require manual data entry — which is why the Passport Office explicitly recommends the digital route.

The catch

Paper applications take longer because they require extra manual processing at the office. Online applicants bypass this queue entirely.

Do I need to print a passport application form?

Whether you need a printed form depends entirely on which application channel you choose. Online applicants never touch paper. Paper applicants must print — and follow specific guidelines.

Paper vs digital

  • Online: no printing required — complete and submit digitally
  • Paper: must download, complete, and print the relevant PDF

Printing guidelines

  • Use good quality white A4 paper
  • Print single-sided
  • Ensure the form matches the official layout — downloaded directly from passports.govt.nz ensures accuracy
  • Citizens Advice Bureau provides detailed printing guidance at cab.org.nz (Citizens Advice Bureau)

Submission requirements

  • Printed forms must be mailed or hand-delivered — no email or fax
  • Forms obtained from passport offices are identical to PDFs — either source is valid

Why this matters: a poorly printed form — smudged ink, wrong paper weight, or altered layout — gets returned. Always download fresh from the official site and print on clean A4.

How much is a NZ passport now?

Fees differ by applicant age and processing speed. Standard processing covers the baseline cost; urgent processing is roughly double.

Adult costs

  • Standard adult passport: NZD$247.00 (New Zealand Passports)
  • Urgent adult passport: NZD$494.00 (New Zealand Passports)
  • Adult passport valid for 10 years (Govt.nz)

Child costs

  • Standard child passport: NZD$144.00 (New Zealand Passports)
  • Urgent child passport: NZD$391.00 (New Zealand Passports)
  • Child passport valid for 5 years (Govt.nz)

Renewal fees

  • Same fee structure applies to renewals as first-time applications
  • Online renewal attracts the same standard or urgent processing fees

The trade-off: urgent processing costs roughly double but cuts wait time significantly. Standard processing covers the majority of applicants and offers the best value per year of passport validity.

The upshot

A standard adult passport costs NZD$247.00 and lasts 10 years — roughly NZD$24.70 per year. An urgent adult passport at NZD$494.00 makes sense only when you need it fast.

Step-by-step: How to Apply

Whether you go online or by post, the application process follows a predictable sequence. Here is the full walkthrough for both routes.

  1. Identify the correct form. Adults 16+ for first-time, name change, or replacement use PAS310 (Adult-new-v2.pdf). Adults renewing use the 2.8MB renewal PDF. Children aged 15 and under use the 3.2MB child form.
  2. Gather required documents. You need two identical recent colour photos (one signed by a witness over 16 with a valid NZ passport), your previous passport (for renewals), and proof of citizenship if born outside NZ or applying by descent.
  3. Complete the form. Fill all sections legibly. Section 8 contains the statutory declaration — every field must be answered. Errors or blanks trigger a return.
  4. Choose your submission method. Online: log in via RealMe, upload your photo, nominate an identity referee, and pay by card. Paper: print the completed form on A4, post or deliver to a passport office.
  5. Track your application. Online applicants receive tracking through the passports.govt.nz portal. Paper applicants can request a reference number when mailing.
  6. Receive your passport. Standard processing arrives by courier. Urgent processing is available for pickup at a Passport Office if you need it faster.
Why this matters

Most processing delays stem from incomplete forms, not from Passport Office backlogs. Taking 10 extra minutes to verify every field is filled before submitting saves weeks of wait time.

Completing the application correctly the first time beats dealing with rejections and re-submissions. Applicants who follow this sequence and double-check their forms before mailing or uploading avoid the most common delays.

Clarity on What We Know and What We Don’t

The New Zealand Passports Office publishes clear guidance on forms, fees, and eligibility. Some specifics around processing times, courier costs, and upcoming rule changes remain less documented.

Confirmed

  • Forms available at passports.govt.nz — adult and child PDFs provided (New Zealand Passports)
  • Adult passport valid for 10 years; child for 5 years (Govt.nz)
  • Standard adult fee NZD$247.00; child NZD$144.00 (New Zealand Passports)
  • Online application fastest for standard or urgent passports (New Zealand Passports)
  • Two photos and identity referee required for all applications (DIA Passports)

Unclear

  • Exact current processing times (weeks for standard service not published)
  • Specific courier delivery costs
  • Details on photo dimensions and digital specs
  • 2026 rule impacts on applications — specifics not yet confirmed

The pattern here: the Passport Office publishes hard facts on forms, fees, and eligibility but keeps processing windows fluid. Applicants should build in buffer time rather than assuming a specific turnaround.

What to watch

Processing times fluctuate seasonally. During peak travel periods, standard paper applications can stretch well beyond the typical window. Apply early and track online where possible.

What experts and authorities say

“The easiest and fastest way to renew your passport is online. Paper applications take longer as they require extra processing.”

— New Zealand Passports Office, Official Guidance (DIA Passports)

“You must be a New Zealand citizen to apply for a New Zealand passport.”

— New Zealand Passports, Official Requirement (New Zealand Passports)

“Adult passports are valid for 10 years. Child passports are valid for 5 years.”

— Govt.nz, Government Portal (Govt.nz)

For New Zealand citizens, the path to a passport is straightforward: download the right form, gather two photos and a referee, and choose online for speed or paper for those who prefer a physical copy. The online route is faster and cheaper in practice — the real variable is whether you need it urgently or can plan ahead.

Related reading: Partner Resident Visa NZ Guide · Book Driving Test NZ

Additional sources

passports.govt.nz, passports.govt.nz, passports.govt.nz, youtube.com, govt.nz, immigration.govt.nz

Alongside downloading the NZ passport application form PDF, verify your photos meet official specs using the free NZ passport photo checker from the Department of Internal Affairs.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for an NZ passport entirely online?

Yes — most adult New Zealand citizens can complete the full application online via passports.govt.nz. You need a RealMe account, a digital passport photo, and an identity referee. Child applications still require a paper form.

What is the difference between adult and child forms?

Adult forms (PAS310 for new applicants, separate renewal PDF) cover anyone 16 and older. Child forms are for applicants 15 and under. Child applications require parental consent, have a shorter validity period (5 years vs 10), and currently must be submitted on paper.

Where do I submit a printed NZ passport form?

Mail the completed form to the New Zealand Passports Office or drop it at a participating NZ Post outlet. You can also hand-deliver to a Passport Office in person. Overseas applicants apply online via passports.govt.nz.

Is proof of citizenship required for renewal?

For renewals, your existing passport serves as proof of citizenship and entitlement. First-time adult applicants who were born in New Zealand need no additional documentation. Those born in Niue, Cook Islands, or Tokelau must provide an original birth certificate.

How long does NZ passport processing take?

Standard processing times are not publicly published as fixed windows — they vary by volume and time of year. Online applications are faster than paper submissions. The official guidance recommends applying well ahead of any planned travel.

Are photos needed with the application form?

Yes. Two identical recent colour photos are required for all applications. A witness (who must be over 16 with a valid NZ passport) must sign the back of one photo.

What if I need citizenship by descent?

If you are entitled to New Zealand citizenship by descent, use form DRG002 (adults 16+) or DRG001 (children). These combine citizenship and passport applications. A full official state-issued birth certificate showing name, place/date of birth, gender, and parents’ names is required.