Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/31274-official-information-act-request-passport-name-policy-2000 on July 26, 2025 15:22

Official Information Act Request – Passport Name Policy 2000

E Jones made this Official Information request to Department of Internal Affairs

The request was successful.

From: E Jones

Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

I am requesting information under the Official Information Act 1982 regarding the policies governing the issuance of New Zealand passports, specifically relating to name formatting rules.

Could you please provide clarification on the following:

1. The exact legislation or internal policy that allowed individuals born before 1 September 1995 to have their passport issued under either their birth surname or one of their parents' surnames.
2. Whether this policy was in effect in 2000, and if so, the precise wording and governing authority for this rule at that time.
3. Any changes or amendments made to this policy since 2000, including dates of revision and rationale for adjustments.
4. Any relevant guidelines or directives provided to passport processing officers concerning name selection for passport issuance prior to legal name changes.

If possible, I would appreciate receiving copies of relevant legislative provisions, official policy documents, or internal guidelines that detail these rules.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.

Yours faithfully,

E Jones

Link to this

From: RIS Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs

Tçnâ koe

Thank you for your OIA request to the Department of Internal Affairs.

The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as practicable and within twenty working days. The 20th working day is 10 July 2025.

Please note that in cases where the Department’s response provides information that is identified to be of general public interest, the response may also be published on the Department of Internal Affairs website. If the Department publishes its response to your OIA request, all personal information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.

Ngâ mihi,

Ekta Raturi (ia/she/her)| Official Correspondence Coordinator
Te Pâhekoheko|Operations Regulatory and Identity Services
The Department of Internal Affairs|Te Tari Taiwhenua

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Link to this

From: RIS Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs

Attachment image001.png
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Kia ora E Jones,

 

I’m contacting you to clarify question four of your request.

 

Please could you explain what is meant by your question specifically where
you are asking about names on passport prior to a legal name change?

 

Do you mean to say that the person would apply for a passport and then
change their names after the passport has been issued?

 

Ngâ mihi

 

Linda

 

Linda Anderson | Advisor Official Correspondence

Regulatory and Identity Services

The Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua  

[1]www.dia.govt.nz

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.dia.govt.nz/

Link to this

From: RIS Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs

Attachment image001.png
24K Download

Attachment Response OIA2425 1203 PPT Policy Related to Name Formatting.pdf
244K Download View as HTML

Attachment Marked for Release Appendix A Documents of National Identity.pdf
627K Download View as HTML

Attachment Marked for Release Appendix B Passports Circular Memo.pdf
796K Download View as HTML

Attachment Marked for Release Appendix C Policy for names displayed in a Passport.pdf
927K Download View as HTML

Attachment Marked for Release Appendix D Policy Names assumed by custom or usage by passports applicants.pdf
1.8M Download View as HTML

Kia ora,

 

Please find the attached response to your information request.

 

Ngā mihi

 

Linda

 

Linda Anderson | Advisor Official Correspondence

Regulatory and Identity Services

The Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua  

[1]www.dia.govt.nz

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.dia.govt.nz/

Link to this

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