If 1 parent lives overseas

You may be able to get child support even if you and the child or the other parent live outside New Zealand.

How you apply for child support depends on the agreement that has been signed with New Zealand.

Find countries that have child support agreements with New Zealand

Getting child support through us

For you to get child support through us, the country the other parent lives in must have joined 1 of these international agreements.

• Reciprocal Agreement with Australia
• Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention)

Here’s more information.

Child support between Australia and New Zealand
Child support and other countries

Getting child support through the Family Court

If the other parent lives in a country that has joined 1 of the following agreements, you cannot apply for child support through us. However, you may be able to apply through the Family Court.

• Commonwealth and Designated Countries Scheme
• 1956 United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance Agreement (UNCRAM)

You can find out more about these agreements on the Ministry of Justice website.

When the other parent lives in a Commonwealth or designation country - justice.govt.nz
When the other parent lives in a UNCRAM country - justice.govt.nz

Child support in other countries

If you or the other parent are living in a country that is not covered by an agreement, you may still be able to set up a formula assessment through us, if your children qualify.

Can you get child support?