Find out what identification and documentation you need apply for an IRD number when you are living and currently in New Zealand.
You’ll need 1 primary identification document and 1 secondary identification document to apply.
Primary identification documents
Your identification documents must be physical (you can hold them in your hand), not digital.
You need to provide 1 of these primary identification documents:
- 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
Secondary identification documents
You need to provide 1 of the following secondary identification documents:
- 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
Name changes
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
Child identification documents
If you’re applying for an IRD number for a child living in New Zealand, you need to provide 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
You’ll need a primary identification document and a secondary identification document for yourself as well.
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
If you do not have the documents we need
Call us on 0800 775 247 to talk about your options if you cannot provide the necessary primary and secondary identification documents.
If you need to use an expired photo identification document, bring this into your nearest Inland Revenue office so we can verify it. You do not need an appointment to do this.
Getting your documents ready
You will need scan everything so you can upload electronic versions with your online application.
Get translations of any documents that are not in English.
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)
You still need to take the original, physical documents (you have them in your hand) and copies to be verified. You have 20 days to do this after you have applied online.
Scanning your documents
For New Zealand passports, you only need to scan the pages showing your photo and names.
For a New Zealand driver licence, you need to scan both sides of the licence.
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.