Proof of identity
Identity checks are required for people working with children under the Children’s Act. It is also required by Police before we can submit a request for your Police vet.
On this page
When proof of identity is required
- You are applying for registration or a practising certificate for the first time.
- You haven’t verified your identity with the Teaching Council since 1 July 2015.
- You have changed your name or identity (e.g., marriage, divorce).
Forms
These forms are designed to be filled out onscreen. Download and save to your desktop. Open the saved form, fill it out and save again. It is now ready to be printed and signed.
You may be able to fill these forms out online, if you are completing an application in Hapori Matatū through My Rawa.
Downloadable forms
Who can be an identity referee
If you are living in NZ
- any school principal
- any ECE centre manager
- any ITE head of programme
- any endorser – 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.
Your identity referee does not have to be your employer or know you personally.
If you are living overseas
- a Judge
- a Justice of Peace
- a Commission of Oath Commonwealth Representative (Ambassador/High Commissioner)
- a person authorised by law of that country to administer an oath for the purpose of judicial proceedings.
Valid documents for verifying identity
Show your identity referee one document from Category A and one from Category B.
One of these must be a form of photo I.D. and both documents must be valid (not expired).
*A Category C (name change) document is required if:
- you have changed your name
- the name on your Category A document is different from the name on your Category B document
- the name on your qualification is different to the name on your identity documents
| Category A: primary identification document | Category B: secondary identification document | |
|---|---|---|
If you are living in NZ | New Zealand Passport New Zealand Certificate of Identity issued under the Passports Act 1992 to Non-New Zealand citizens who cannot obtain a passport from their country of origin. New Zealand Certificate of Identity (issued to people who have refugee status) New Zealand Refugee Travel Document Emergency Travel Document New Zealand Firearm Licence Overseas Passport (with or without New Zealand Immigration visa/permit) New Zealand Full Birth Certificate issued on or after 1998 New Zealand Citizenship Certificate | New Zealand Driver Licence Kiwi Access Card (previously known as 18+ Card) Community Services Card Super Gold Card Veteran Super Gold Card Inland Revenue Number Electoral Roll Records New Zealand utility bill, issued not more than six months earlier |
If you are living overseas | Overseas passport NZ passport | Overseas driver's license NZ driver’s license National Police certificate issued within the last 6 months |
How to verify documents
To verify identity, the referee must:
- be shown the applicant's original documents by the applicant themselves
- check there is one document from Category A and one from Category B
- check the documents are valid (not expired)
- check one of the documents is a form of photo I.D.
- check that the document numbers in the proof of identity section (either on the hardcopy form supplied or online), match those on the documents
- supply their details and the details of their learning centre and registration number (where applicable)
- supply their signature, date, and the official stamp/seal of the school, ECE centre, or university/wānanga/polytechnic.
What information should a stamp include?
- name of the school/centre/organisation
- address of the school/centre/organisation.
The following information is not required, but is useful to have on a stamp:
- MOE number
- phone number
- a principal, Centre Manager, or ITE Head of Programme name.
Some schools and centres may have a Common Seal. A Common Seal is used on legal documents and contracts, has an official legal status and can be used on the Proof of Identity form.
Evidence of name change
If the name on your identity documents or qualification is different from your official name, please also provide your identity referee with your official name change document from the below list. You will also need to attach a certified copy of this with your proof of identity, so that we have it on file.
| Name change document | Issuing Agency |
|---|---|
Change of Name by Statutory Declaration | Te Tari Taiwhenua |Department of Internal Affairs |
Change of Name by Deed Poll | Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs |
New Zealand Change of Name Certificate | Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs |
New Zealand Marriage Certificate (not Particulars of Marriage)* | Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs |
New Zealand Civil Union Certificate | Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs |
New Zealand Birth Certificate issued on or after 1998 | Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs |
New Zealand Divorce Papers | Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice |
Certificate of Annulment | Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice |
Overseas Passport | Relevant authority in the country of issue |
Overseas Birth Certificate or Overseas Marriage Certificate | Relevant authority in the country of issue |
Police vetting consent
As part of your application in My Rawa, you’ll need to give consent for a New Zealand Police vetting check. By agreeing, you understand that:
- Police vetting may include your conviction history, active charges, warrants, and any interactions with Police (including family violence), even if you weren’t charged or were found not guilty.
- Convictions may be hidden under the Clean Slate Act if you meet certain conditions (e.g. no convictions for 7 years, never been to prison).
- However, if you're applying for a role involving children or young people, your full conviction history may still be shared.
- Suppressed information may be shared with approved agencies if Police believe it’s relevant. In some cases, Police may recommend against unsupervised access to children (a “red stamp”).
- Your personal information is used for vetting and may update Police records.
- You can withdraw your consent before the vetting result is shared by contacting the Teaching Council.
- You have the right to access and correct your vetting information under the Privacy Act 2020.
- All vetting documents will be securely disposed of within 12 months, unless required to be kept longer by law.
For further information about Police vetting visit the Police website.
Related links
FAQs
If your name has changed as you were married in New Zealand, the Teaching Council will need details of your New Zealand Marriage Certificate. Please note that this is different to the Copy of Particulars of Marriage that a couple signs on their wedding day. A New Zealand Marriage Certificate can be ordered from Births, Deaths and Marriages from Department of Internal Affairs.
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