If you're applying for a new passenger endorsement, you’ll need to provide official documents from each country you’ve lived in for more than 12 continuous months since the age of 14.
You’ll need to provide:
police records of any criminal history or complaints, and
traffic records of any infringements or fines, OR
confirmation that you have no police or traffic records.
The documents must include your most recent travel. They must be authorised by the relevant authority (embassy, consulate, or other approved government agency) in your country of origin AND in any other country you’ve lived in for more than 12 months at a time. In some countries, you may need to apply to separate agencies for traffic and criminal documents.
The documents should include your full name, date of birth, passport number and/or identity number. If we can’t easily match the details on your foreign documentation to the details on your application, this could lead to delays in the time it takes to process your application.
If the documents aren’t in English, they must be translated into English by an authorised translator.
Getting these documents is your responsibility, and at your cost. This may affect the time taken for application processing. The Transport Agency has no influence over these factors.
Useful information about common countries and timeframes
You can email the documents in PDF format to PVIO@nzta.govt.nz, mail certified copies to Licensing Assessments, NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442, or provide certified copies with the form when you make your application at the agent.
Please note: if you send original documents they won’t be returned, unless you provide a self-addressed pre-paid courier bag.
If you’ve already provided documents to Immigration New Zealand, you may be able to supply them again to us. If you don’t have copies of the documents, contact Immigration New Zealand.
Country | Contact details | Average timeframe |
Australia |
Australian Federal Police(external link) For Traffic Offence History please contact the State Authority |
Approximately 20 working days |
Canada |
Royal Canadian Mounted Police |
Approximately six months |
Fiji |
Fiji Police Force |
Approximately three months |
India |
High Commission of India |
Approximately 20 working days |
Japan |
Consulate General Of Japan |
Approximately six months |
Philippines |
Land Transportation Office |
Approximately six months |
Samoa |
Ministry of Police and Prison |
Approximately three months |
South Africa |
South African Police Service |
Approximately six months |
United Kingdom (including Scotland, Wales, Ireland) |
ACRO Criminal Records Office (external link)DVLA (Traffic) |
Approximately 20 working days |
United States of America |
FBI For Traffic Offence History please contact the State Authority |
Approximately six months |
For any other country that isn't listed above please contact the Embassy or Consulate General of the relevant country. See a list of embassies in New Zealand(external link). For some countries the time frame for obtaining these documents can take up to six months. |
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