Submitting a foreign-language document in New Zealand, or sending a New Zealand document abroad? Start with the direction: the translation, certification, and apostille rules are not the same.
Requirements reviewed by Sarah Jenkins
Academic Credential Translation Specialist · Last verified June 2026
Reviewed June 2026 · Sarah Jenkins
New Zealand follows a certified-translation standard: a document not in English needs a translation by a reputable, independent translator with a written certification of accuracy. Immigration New Zealand, NZQA, and universities accept this. New Zealand has been in the Hague Apostille Convention since 2001, so a New Zealand document used abroad is apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
Confirm final requirements with the authority receiving the document.
Need a certified English translation?
From $24.95/page · signed certification included
Quick reference
Confirm final requirements with the authority receiving the document.
| Translation standard | Certified translation |
|---|---|
| Who can translate | Professional translator providing written certification |
| Apostille | When the receiving authority requires authentication; separate from translation |
| Apostille authority | The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). |
| Accepted languages | English |
| Responsible authority | Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) – Apostille |
Official-use requirements
The local certification system, who may translate, and what gives the finished document legal effect.
Cross-border authentication
New Zealand is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 2001), so public documents are authenticated with a single apostille — no consular legalization.
From New Zealand
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).New Zealand has been a party to the Convention since 2001.
Toward New Zealand
A U.S. document going to New Zealand is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and translated where the receiving body requires it.
When the receiving authority requires an apostille on the original, obtain it before translation so the apostille certificate can be translated too. See how apostilles work, or order a certified translation.
Submission checklist
Immigration New Zealand asks for translations by a reputable, independent translator, with a written statement of accuracy.
It must confirm the translation is accurate and identify the translator.
File them with Immigration New Zealand, NZQA, or the university.
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Certified for USCIS, universities, and credential evaluators — from $24.95/page.
Two directions, two rulebooks
Choose the destination first. It determines the language, certification, and whether an apostille belongs in the packet.
Authorities in New Zealand accept certified English translations with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. We translate from 65+ languages with 24-hour delivery.
A U.S. document going to New Zealand is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and translated where the receiving body requires it.
Common document types
The document types we certify most often — each with its own pricing and requirements page.
Avoid preventable delays
The mistakes we see most often on New Zealand documents — and what a correct certified translation does instead.
Immigration New Zealand requires a reputable, independent translator; a translation by the applicant or a relative is not accepted.
The translation must include a signed statement that it is accurate, identifying the translator.
The whole document, including stamps and seals, must be rendered.
Clear per-page pricing
A one-page certificate is priced as a single page; multi-page records are priced by their page count. Standard translation delivery is 24 hours for most 1–3 page orders. Notarization, hard-copy mailing, and apostille service are priced separately because their timelines differ.
Certified translation from
One physical source page, any length.
Start my translation See all pricing and add-onsQuestions people ask before submitting
A translation by a reputable and independent translator, with a written certification of accuracy. It cannot be done by the applicant or a family member.
what a certified translation isYes, since 2001. A New Zealand public document used abroad is apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
how apostilles workYes. A certified English translation submitted with the original qualification documents is accepted by NZQA and New Zealand universities for recognition.
transcript translationWe translate from 60+ languages into English, each with a written certification, for Immigration New Zealand, NZQA, and universities.
languages we translateGenerally no — a written certification is enough. Notarization is available as an add-on if a specific body asks for it.
certified vs notarizedPricing is per page. A one-page certificate is a single page; multi-page records are priced by page count.
see live pricingNo. Immigration New Zealand requires an independent translator; a self-translation is not accepted.
what a certified translation isInformation verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.
