Who can we help?
Consular services are available to New Zealand citizens outside New Zealand (whether or not they normally live in New Zealand). New Zealand citizens who also hold citizenship of another country ("dual nationals") may not be entitled to assistance, for example if they have entered a country on their non-New Zealand passport, or if they are in the country of their other nationality.
Staff at Embassies can:
- give advice, with the aim of helping you to help yourself
- help with a lost or stolen passport(external link)
- help you contact relatives or friends to request emergency funds(external link)
- provide a list of English-speaking lawyers, and help you contact family and friends, if you are detained or arrested(external link)
- help you contact family and friends if you are ill or injured(external link)
- help with arrangements following a death overseas(external link)
- in certain circumstances, provide notarial services such as witnessing affidavits, statutory declarations and other documents for use under New Zealand law
- help during crises, such as civil unrest and natural disasters.
- pay your hotel, travel or other bills, legal or medical expenses, or costs of returning a body to New Zealand
- give you legal advice, including on family law matters such as child custody, international surrogacy and adoption issues
- investigate a crime or get you out of prison
- get you better conditions in prison or hospital than a local citizen would receive
- arrange visas or work/residency permits for you
- operate a personal mail service for you including through the diplomatic bag or store your belongings
- compel another country to overturn your travel ban
- become involved in commercial disputes or civil litigation.
Staff at Embassies cannot:
- pay your hotel, travel or other bills, legal or medical expenses, or costs of returning a body to New Zealand
- give you legal advice, including on family law matters such as child custody, international surrogacy and adoption issues
- investigate a crime or get you out of prison
- get you better conditions in prison or hospital than a local citizen would receive
- arrange visas or work/residency permits for you
- operate a personal mail service for you including through the diplomatic bag or store your belongings
- compel another country to overturn your travel ban
- become involved in commercial disputes or civil litigation.
Safetravel
SafeTravel is the official source of travel advice for New Zealanders, with advisories for specific destinations. Checking SafeTravel helps you avoid travel blackspots.
On SafeTravel you can also register your details and travel plans(external link).
If a crisis occurs overseas, MFAT will contact New Zealanders who have enrolled to check on their safety and well-being.
We also recommend you take out travel insurance. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
While you are overseas, make sure you respect cultural norms and obey local laws.
SafeTravel(external link) is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website designed for New Zealanders who are travelling or living overseas. You will find:
- traveller’s checklist(external link) to help you plan your journey
- news features(external link)
- travel advisories(external link) for specific destinations, with up-to-date information on security risks
- registration facility(external link) where you can log your travel plans in case you need to be contacted in an emergency
- when things go wrong(external link) — information that may assist you.
Embassy Services
Disclaimer: Notarial or legalisation services are temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 response. The Embassy is following local guidelines to ensure public safety. We will make an announcement on our website and social media pages once these services resume. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The New Zealand Embassy in Dublin can provide some notarial services for New Zealand citizens.
- Certifying copies of original documents which are New Zealand in origin; or are requested by a New Zealand organisation.
- Witnessing affidavits, affirmations and statutory declarations and certain other documents.
Note: There are some exceptions to the above. We are limited in what documents we can service. Consular Officers are not Notary Publics or Justices of the Peace. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Appointments
- Mon–Fri, 10:00–13:00, 14:00–15:00
- Pre-booked appointments only.
- Phone 00353 1 567 7680 and hold to speak to the receptionist to book an appointment.
- You must bring suitable photo ID with you such as a valid passport or driver licence.
Fees
Payment must be made by bank transfer in advance. We do not have credit or debit card facilities and we no longer accept cash. You will be provided bank details for payment once your appointment is confirmed.
- Certified true copies of documents — original document must be presented:
€30.00 per copy — €10.00 for each additional copy of the same document
We cannot certify photocopies. Originals must be presented. We will make the copies.
- Witnessing signatures on documents; including Affidavits; Affirmations; Statutory Declarations:
€60.00 per document — €10.00 for each additional copy of the same document
You must bring your signed passport or photo driver licence as ID and confirmation of your signature.
Important Notes:
- We are not authorised to witness Power of Attorney documents.
- It is your responsibility to accurately present the documents and advise us what is required. We cannot give guidance or show you what is required.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that the receiving organisation will accept documents witnessed or certified by the Embassy.
- The Embassy reserves the right to not sign any document the client does not fully understand, or copy any document which is outside the scope of our notarial services.
- The Embassy does not provide legal services or advice on legal documents. For this you should seek the advice of a lawyer. A list can be provided upon request.
- For legal services for foreign documents, including foreign passports, please contact the Embassy/High Commission of that country or a Notary Public.
- Form BDM58 – Notice of Intended Marriage (Resident outside NZ) can be signed by the staff in the New Zealand Passports Office in London for no charge.
Legalisation, Authentication and Apostille
The New Zealand Embassy cannot provide this service. Legalisation, authentication or an apostille for New Zealand documents can only be done by the Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand.
Department of Internal Affairs(external link), Wellington
Email: auth.unit@dia.govt.nz
Phone: +64 (0) 4 460 2221
Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:00pm NZ time
Legalisation, authentication or an apostille for Irish documents are done by the Dept. of Foreign Affairs(external link).
Phone: 01 408 2174
Monday–Friday (excluding bank holidays) 9:30am–1:00pm and 2:30–4:00pm GMT. Call charges apply
Irish Notary Publics
Many NZ organisations and government departments will accept documents witnessed or certified by any person with the authority to certify documents. This includes Irish lawyers, solicitors, notary publics, or court registrars.
See a list of Notary Publics(external link) in Ireland.