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
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
show quoted sections
From: RIS Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs
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/
From: RIS Official Correspondence
Department of Internal Affairs
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/
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