Witnessing, Authenticating and Legalising Documents

Most countries require a foreign document to be subject to a process of authentication (sometimes also referred to as verification or legalisation). This is because foreign government officials and agencies are not able to determine on sight the authenticity of foreign documents.

The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (Authentication Unit) carries the primary responsibility for the authentication of New Zealand documents overseas.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Department of Internal Affairs or by emailing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Consular Officers at this Embassy and Consulate General, Shanghai are able to perform a number of legal functions with respect to documents prepared in, and prepared overseas for use in New Zealand.

A fee is payable for these services.

Services include:

• Certifying documents as true copies of the original (e.g. birth or marriage certificates, passports).
• Issuing consular letters, taking affidavits, affirmations or statutory declarations (documents prepared by a solicitor or applicant.)
• Witnessing signatures on documents (e.g. wills, powers of attorney, land transfer deeds).
• Authenticating the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs signature/seal on documents prepared in China for use in New Zealand.
• Verifying New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade signature/seal on documents prepared in New Zealand for use overseas which have been forwarded by the Ministry’s Consular Division, or direct by the client, for passing on to a foreign mission.

For further information contact the embassy.