Certified Copies of Identification
What primary and secondary forms of ID are accepted?
The Teachers’ Institute requires you to supply certified copies of a primary and secondary type of identification (IDs). These IDs should be current/not expired. If the names on these IDs differ, please include supporting evidence such as a marriage or name change certificate. Ensure at least one ID has your photograph on it.
One ID must also show proof of your NZ Citizenship or Residency (or equivalent evidence for domestic tertiary status). Suitable IDs include passports, birth certificates and citizenship certificates.
Primary forms of ID:
NZ Passport | NZ refugee travel document |
NZ Full Birth Certificate issued on or after 1998 | NZ Citizenship Certificate |
NZ certificate of identity issued under the Passports Act 1992 to Non-New Zealand citizens who cannot obtain a passport from their country of origin | A non- New Zealand passport with current visa showing permanent residency status |
New Zealand Certificate of Identity (issued to people who have refugee status) | NZ Emergency Travel Document |
NZ Firearm Licence |
Secondary forms of ID:
Kiwi Access Card (previously the 18+ card) | NZ Driver licence |
NZ Full Birth Certificate issued before 1998 | Community Services card |
Super Gold Card | NZ Employee photo identity card |
NZ electoral roll record | Inland Revenue number |
International driving permit | NZ issued utility bill (issued within 6 months) |
NZ student photo identity card | Steps to Freedom form |
NZ refugee travel document |
Certification Steps
- Photocopy your IDs.
- Seek certification from an individual of standing in the community. See point 5 below for suitable identity referees.
- Take your originals and your photocopied IDs along for certification.
- The person acting as a referee must:
– sight all of the original documents
– compare the photographic image with you (the applicant) to confirm they are the same person
– note on every page the words “certified true copy of the original”; and clearly identify and include on the document their full name, title and signatureThe person acting as identity referee must include:
a. their address and contact details
b. the official stamp or seal which includes the name and address of the school/ centre/ organisation (if applicable)
c. the certification dateThe documents provided must be verified by an identity referee who is:
a). a person of standing in the community (e.g., registered professional, religious or community leader, Police employee)
b). be over 16 years of age
c). not related to or a partner/spouse of the applicant
d). not a co-resident of the applicantThe identity referee can be:
– a school principal
– a Teaching Council approved identity referee
– an ECE centre manager
– an endorser, such as a professional leader (or a senior staff member/s holding a full practising certificate and authorised by a professional leader) who endorses teacher practising certificates.
– an ITE head of Programme
– a Justice of the Peace
– a Solicitor
– a Notary Public
– a RegistrarIf the candidate is living outside of New Zealand, the document(s) must be certified by:
– a Justice of the Peace
– a Solicitor
– a Notary Public
– a Registrar