Use this process to apply for an IRD number if you're currently in New Zealand.
Apply online and then go to an AA driver licensing agent
Use the following steps to help you get all your documents ready to apply online.
Once you've applied, you have 20 days to take your identification documents to an AA Driver Licensing Agent. They need to verify your identity before we can give you an IRD number.
You can use the link in step 6 to find the agent closest to you.
Gather your identification documents
You'll need 1 of these primary identification documents (Category A):
- current New Zealand passport
- current overseas passport and a New Zealand visa (you do not need a New Zealand visa if you have an Australian, Cook Islands, Niuean or Tokelauan passport)
- full New Zealand birth certificate
- New Zealand citizenship certificate
- New Zealand firearm or dealer licence
- New Zealand certificate of identity from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) or the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
- New Zealand refugee travel document
- New Zealand emergency travel document.
You cannot use an expired passport when applying online. If you need to use an expired passport as 1 of your identification documents, check out 'other ways to do this'.
You'll also need 1 of these secondary identification documents (Category B):
- current New Zealand driver licence
- current overseas driver licence
- Kiwi Access Card
- HANZ 18+ card (existing cards are valid until their expiry dates)
- New Zealand student photo ID
- International Driving Permit.
Your identification documents must be physical, not digital.
If you’ve changed your name, you'll need a document proving your name change. This can be 1 of the following:
- marriage or civil union certificate
- name change certificate.
If applying for your child's IRD number
You’ll need 1 primary identification document (Category A) and 1 secondary identification document (Category B) for yourself from the list above. As well as these documents, you’ll need 1 of the following forms of identification for your child:
- current New Zealand passport
- full New Zealand birth certificate
- New Zealand citizenship certificate
- New Zealand student photo ID.
If your documents do not show your relationship with your child, you’ll also need a document such as:
- adoption papers
- overseas birth certificate
- parenting orders
- guardianship orders
- Statutory declaration IR595D form.
Scan your documents
Make sure you've made electronic versions of the ID documents you've chosen. You need to upload them during the online application.
For New Zealand passports, you only need to scan the pages showing your photo and names.
For overseas passports (except Australia, Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue) you need to scan the pages showing your:
- photo
- name(s).
You must also include 1 of the following:
- the pages showing your visa type and duration
- your Immigration New Zealand visa application letter.
For New Zealand driver licence, you need to scan both sides of the licence.
Get certified translations for documents not in English
If your identification documents are not in English, you must get them translated into English by an approved translator. Your translation will need to be certified.
Waka Kotahi - New Zealand Transport Agency has a full list of approved translators or you can use the Translation Service.
Approved translators (Waka Kotahi - New Zealand Transport Agency)
Translating documents into English (govt.nz information for the Translation Service)
Apply online
Get your documents verified
Once you've applied online, you have 20 days to take your original, physical identification (ID) documents to an AA Driver Licensing Agent for verification. Your ID must be physical, not digital.
Only the AA Centres verify documents. The AA Auto Centres do not do this.
Locations (AA driver licensing agents)
You can complete a paper application and take it to an AA Driver Licensing Agent or an Inland Revenue office to verify your documents.
What happens next
Once the AA Driver Licensing Agent has verified your documents, you'll get your IRD number by text or email within 10 working days if you apply online, or 12 working days if you fill out the paper form.
Your responsibilities
Keep your IRD number where you can easily find it. You'll need it for tax-related events in your life.
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