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Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/previous-practice-centre/policy/caring-for-children-and-young-people/resources/names-relationships-finances-wills-and-passports/
Printed: 22/11/2024
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Names, relationships, finances, wills and passports

Updated: 04 December 2023

On this page you'll find information on passports.

Updated information on name changes and marriages has been added to Explaining rights and entitlements to tamariki and rangatahi.

Updated information about finances and wills is on Finances and wills for tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody.

Passports

This guidance has been updated – electronic copies of a guardianship order can be emailed to the Passports Office, or the original court document can be submitted in paper form.

Overseas travel is a guardianship decision and any child or young person under the age of 16 requires the consent of a parent or guardian before a passport can be issued. The chief executive as a sole or additional guardian may consent to the application for a passport. If the chief executive is an additional guardian, the social worker must first seek the consent of the other guardians. If consent is refused, seek legal advice.

The requirements for issuing a passport to a child or young person under the age of 16 years when they are under the guardianship of the chief executive are set out in the Passport Act 1992. This requires that:

  • a site manager confirms in writing, on letterhead, that the person who completed 'Section 10: Consent for issue of a passport to a child' of the application form has the authority to do so on behalf of the chief executive and that they have consulted with the other parents or guardians of the child or young person making the application
  • a social worker or someone who fits the criteria for being the 'child witness' (as outlined in the guidance notes of the application form) needs to complete 'Section 11: Witness section'.

The court or the family lawyer can email an electronic copy of the guardianship order from their email address to SpecialOps.PPT@dia.govt.nz, or we can submit the original court document in paper form.

When a young person is 16 years old, they can complete their own passport application. However, they still need someone who fits the criteria to complete Section 11 and arrange financial support.

For information regarding the international travel of a child or young person in the custody of the chief executive, go to the When children and young people move policy

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