Apply For Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (Copy of Criminal Record) in New Zealand
Application process for New Zealand and overseas for citizens and non-citizens.
- a. Application process
- The applicant must submit an investigation of their criminal record at the New Zealand Ministry of Justice in person or via the mail (post).
- Application form: Link
- Contacts detail link : link
- Contact: Criminal Records Unit,
Ministry of Justice, SX10161, Wellington.
Fax: +64 4 918 8974
E-mail: criminalrecord@justice.govt.nz - The applicant should visit the office of the applicant. Be sure to bring the original copy of the documents with the copies to the offices.
- Follow the official guidelines and send the complete application with all the required the necessary documents. The applicant must pay any fees if needed as per the instructions.OR
- The applicant must complete the form and mail it together with the required documents and fee information to the given address.
- The application will be handled by the department responsible for it.
- The certificate can be obtained from the location where the applicant made application in person upon notification or issued according to guidelines.
Required Documents For Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate
country specific
- A valid identity document (identity card passport, driving license, or passport).
- Valid passport.
- Citizenship proof/Document for National Identity (DNI).
Foreign national
- A duplicate of your passport when being there in New Zealand.
- A duplicate of your permit to your stay to New Zealand, passport number and the place where it was issued as well.
- Legal proof of stay (copy of passport that was used during that time period, and with seal and stamp).
In general
- Application form: Link
- Valid proof of citizenship with a picture (respective identification issued by the the respective country).
- E-mail ID (useful to relay problems related to your application)
- Self-addressed envelopes either with stamps or no (as is required).
- A valid contact number (applicant is able to be shared)
- Passport-size photos.
- Birth certificate (as per requirement).
Office Locations and Contacts
Criminal Records Unit,
Ministry of Justice, SX10161, Wellington.
Fax: +64 4 918 8974
E-mail: criminalrecord@justice.govt.nz
Contact details: link AND link2
What are all the Eligibility
- A person who has a valid passport as well as an address proof that is valid.
- Age: 15 years old and over. If minors are involved applicants, the application should be made by the parent with the parental authority, even if the minor has not reached the age of 16 yet.
- The residence address for the applicant should be the same as that on the passport along with other documents supporting it.
- The applicants must be in need of residence status, employment or a long time visas, or who are seeking to move to a foreign country.
Fees
The fee/cost varies from the particular the case. The latest fee requirements will be announced by the relevant authorities when applying.
Validity
Validity norms differ between countries.
Processing Time
The processing time varies according to the country where the application was made.
Instructions
If you’re an individual and would like to obtain a copy of your conviction record for criminal, you have to:
- Complete the Request by Individual to obtain a copy of any convictions for criminality (Priv/F1) Form. It is required to fill out and sign the form. [1]
- Attach a photocopy of your valid driver’s license or passport that shows the current signature to verify your identity. Don’t provide original identification. If you don’t have an active driver’s permit or passport then you’ll have to find someone to verify your identity in the section 2 on the form.
Note Parents or caregivers filling out the form on behalf children who are aged between 16 and must sign a photocopy of their driver’s license or passport and include it with the application for the child.
- If you are applying for a visa that allows you to travel internationally or seek citizenship in a different country, you must attach an application cover sheet stating that you need the outcome to be printed on the original letterhead and with an the signature of an ink.
Note: This is not mandatory for Australia.
- Please send us your completed form with a photocopy of your identification. You can either:
- Scan and email them to criminalrecord@justice.govt.nz
- Send them a fax to +644 918 8974
- Send them to:
- Criminal Records Unit
- Ministry of Justice
- SX10161
- Wellington
An official copy of the criminal records will be available within 20 working days.
Permit access to someone’s criminal record
Follow these steps in the event that you are a third-party (e.g. an insurance or employer) looking for a person’s authorization to look up their criminal record.
- Print the Request from a third person to see a copy the criminal convictions of an individual (Priv/F2) Form. The form must be completed as well as signed by the person who is the subject (the person who’s criminal record is sought) as well as the third party they have authorized to access their record. [2]
- Include a copy of the subject’s valid driver’s licence OR passport. Don’t send the original ID. If the applicant does not possess either a passport or drivers license or passport, they should verify their identity using the section 4 on the form.
- Send the completed form along with a the photocopy of ID to:
- Criminal Records Unit
- Ministry of Justice
- SX10161
- Wellington
Note: Only signed and completed applications that are six months old or more are not considered for processing.
Requirements Information
- Personal information include: Name, Gender Date of Birth
- Previous names: maiden Name, Aliases
- Address for postal delivery: P.O. Box, street address Suburb City state/province postcode, postal code Country
- Current Residential Address: Street address, Suburb, City, State/Province, Post code, Country, Daytime Phone., Home Phone, Fax
- Two previous residential addresses
- Identification The proof of identity is a duplicate of Driver License or Passport
Documentation is needed
- If you’re convicted of an offense then a criminal record is made. It can be described as an official New Zealand equivalent of a police clearance certificate, police record police file and police check, or criminal check. If you’re asked for one of these documents the above, a copy of your criminal record obtained from the Ministry of Justice should meet the criteria. If there are no convictions, you will be given an official letter that explains the situation.
- Police offer approved organizations an vetting process for prospective volunteers or employees. It can also be referred to as a police clearance or a check.
- Your records include criminal and traffic convictions, as well as sentencing details for court appearances. It doesn’t include Youth Court charges.
Information that can be useful
- Signed and complete applications that are with a date of six months or more cannot be considered to be processed.
- It is not advisable to wait to apply to be contacted until the very last minute. The deadline or other factors may cause unexpected delays.
Other uses for the document/certificate
Criminal records could be needed when applying for an international visa or for relocating to another country.
External Links
Embassy Websites: Links and Information to the various Embassies as well as High Commissions and representative offices are available here.
New Zealand Ministry of Justice
Request a copy of the criminal records you have.
Permit access to someone’s criminal record
Other
The Criteria for Covering Criminal Record
A person must meet all the requirements in the section 7 in the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 before any convictions are able to be hidden.
The main criteria to be able to enjoy the advantages of the clean slate’ plan are laid out below. The person must:
- There have been no convictions in the past seven years;
- Have never been sentenced to the custodial penalty (e.g. Imprisonment, corrective training, borstal);
- Have never been ordered by a judge in the course of a criminal case to be held in a hospital because of the mental state of the person and not be sentenced.
- Have not been found guilty of any “specified crime” (e.g. Sexual assault against children, youngsters or mentally impaired)(see the section on interpretation for the full list);
- Payed in full for any fine, compensation or other costs ordered by the judge in a criminal case;
- Never been permanently disqualified from driving under section 65 of the Land Transport Act 1998 or an earlier similar provisions.