Authentication of Documents for use Overseas The Ministry and its overseas posts provide various legal and authentication services. If you wish to use a New Zealand document overseas then it may be necessary for the document to be authenticated. You should check the requirements for this with the relevant authorities in the country concerned, or their overseas representatives. Authentications are usually required because officials and agencies are not generally able to determine on sight the authenticity of foreign documents. The authentication process varies but, usually involves a Notary Public, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the diplomatic mission of the country where the document is to be presented.
Fees are payable at each stage.
The authentication procedures are set out below. If the document does not bear the seal of the Registrar-General, it may mean that a new document will have to be issued, or that the document may need to be notarised. Official documents bearing the seal and signature of an approved government agency, eg District Court, Commerce Commission. Other documents, eg contracts, references, etc will need to be notarised by a notary public in New Zealand. The notary public will charge a fee.