Are you registered with the Swiss Embassy in Wellington? In this case, to keep the family registers accurate and up-to-date, Swiss authorities need to be informed about any changes in the civil status of Swiss citizens and dual nationals (birth, marriage, death and divorce). When such changes occur, the persons concerned, or their nearest relatives, should send the Swiss Embassy in Wellington an original birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate, which may be obtained from the competent New Zealand authority:

Original birth, marriage and death certificates are issued by Births, Deaths & Marriages, Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington (tel. 0800 22 77 77). Use their website for further information and to download application forms for birth, death and marriage certificates; to change your name, to amend details on an existing certificate. 

 New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs

Please send your documents to the Swiss Embassy in Wellington. If you have not registered yet, please visit our webpage on registration procedures.

 
Married couple
In order to register the birth of your child with the Swiss Embassy in Wellington, please send birth certificate at your earliest convenience. The certificate must be issued within the last six months and must be certified with an apostille. The original document will be sent to your place of origin for registration and cannot be returned to you.

Unmarried couple
In order to register the birth of your child with the Swiss Embassy in Wellington, please send the following documents at your earliest convenience:

• Birth certificate certified with an apostille (the document will be sent to your place of origin for registration and cannot be returned to you). 
   
• Copy of Notification of Birth for Registration, legalized by Births, Deaths & Marriages. You can order this document from the Department of Internal Affairs via phone (0800-22 77 77) or online:
  
   www.dia.govt.nz 
   
• Birth certificate of your partner, showing the full names of the parents, certified with an apostille (this document will be returned to you after perusal). 
   
• Written declaration of the non Swiss parent about residential address and marital status at the time of birth of your child, legalised by a Notary Public. Please note that we cannot accept a declaration certified by a Justice of the Peace. Please download the form "Affidavit single parent" at the bottom of this page. 
   
• Photocopy of your partner’s passport 
   
• Prepaid courier bag (signature required)

Please contact the following office to obtain the apostille:
Authentications Unit - Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)
Phone: (04) 470-2928, Freephone: 0800 872 675, Fax: (04) 470-2921

 Department of Internal Affairs

 
In order to register your marriage with the Swiss Embassy in Wellington, please send the following documents:

• Marriage certificate certified with an apostille
• Birth certificate of your partner, showing the full names of the parents, certified with an apostille
• Confirmation about wife’s surname after marriage
• Photocopy of your partner’s passport
• Prepaid courier bag

If applicable:

• Order Dissolving Marriage for your partner
• Custody Order for children of your partner

Failing to register your marriage may result in loss of Swiss citizenship by your descendants.

Did you change your surname after the marriage? In this case, a new Swiss passport has to be issued.

Please contact the following office to obtain the apostille:
Authentications Unit - Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)
Phone: (04) 470-2928, Freephone: 0800 872 675, Fax: (04) 470-2921 

 Department of Internal Affairs

 
To register a death with the Swiss Embassy in Wellington, please send an original death certificate certified with an apostille. After perusal, the certificate will be returned to you.

Please contact the following office to obtain the apostille:
Authentications Unit - Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)
Phone: (04) 470-2928, Freephone: 0800 872 675, Fax: (04) 470-2921

 Department of Internal Affairs

In order to register your divorce with the Swiss Embassy in Wellington, please send the following:

• Order Dissolving Marriage certified with an apostille
• Divorce questionnaire duly completed and signed
• Custody Order for your children, if applicable
• Prepaid courier bag 

Did you change your surname after the divorce? In this case, a new Swiss passport has to be issued.

Please contact the following office to obtain the apostille:
Authentications Unit - Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)
Phone: (04) 470-2928 Freephone: 0800 872 675 Fax: (04) 470-2921 
 Department of Internal Affairs