Americans come to New Zealand on working holidays, with job offers, and as partners of New Zealanders. The paperwork is mostly straightforward, but two documents catch people out: the FBI background check (a state check isn't enough) and birth and marriage certificates, which come from different state and county offices.
The documents at a glance
| What INZ asks for | In the US | Issued by | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police certificate | FBI Identity History Summary | FBI CJIS Division, or an FBI-approved channeler | Needs fingerprints; state checks don't replace it |
| Birth certificate | Certified copy of your birth certificate, showing your parents | State or county vital records office | Short-form abstracts may not show parents |
| Marriage | Certified marriage certificate | County clerk or state vital records | A marriage licence isn't a certificate |
| Divorce | Divorce decree | Court that granted it | For every previous marriage |
| Qualifications | Degree certificate and transcripts | Your university | NZQA assessment for some visas |
Police certificate
INZ asks Americans and anyone who lived in the US for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (for residence) for an FBI Identity History Summary. You can apply to the FBI directly (US$18) or through an FBI-approved channeler, which costs more but is usually much faster. Both need a set of fingerprints, which you can get taken in New Zealand. Step by step: FBI background check for INZ.
Where an adviser helps: if your FBI check shows an arrest, even one that was dismissed or expunged, INZ will want the court outcome. A licensed adviser can tell you what INZ needs to see and how to explain it before you apply, rather than after INZ asks.
Birth, marriage and divorce records
US vital records are held by states and counties, not centrally. Order a certified copy from the vital records office of the state where you were born, and choose the version that lists your parents. Marriage certificates usually come from the county clerk where the licence was issued. INZ doesn't generally need US documents to be apostilled. See certified copies.
Coming to New Zealand
- Working holiday: US citizens aged 18 to 30 can get a 12-month working holiday visa.
- Job offer: an Accredited Employer Work Visa needs an accredited employer, a job check and pay at or above the market rate.
- Partner of a New Zealander: see partnership visas.
- Residence: the Green List and Skilled Migrant Category both need a job or job offer in New Zealand.
- Visiting: Americans need an NZeTA, not a visa, for visits of up to 3 months.
There's no general "digital nomad" visa. Working remotely for a US employer while in New Zealand on a visitor visa is only allowed in limited circumstances; check before you plan around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does INZ accept a state police check?
No. INZ needs the FBI Identity History Summary.
Can I get fingerprinted in New Zealand?
Yes, at private fingerprinting services and some police stations. The FBI accepts fingerprints taken outside the US.
Do I need an apostille on US documents?
Generally no. Certified copies from the issuing office are enough for INZ.
Can Americans move to New Zealand without a job?
Usually not, except on a working holiday (18 to 30) or as the partner of a New Zealander. Most residence pathways need a job or job offer.
Do I need a chest X-ray?
Usually not: the US is on INZ's low-TB list, unless you've spent time in other countries.
Get help with your move
Many Americans handle working holiday and visitor visas themselves. A licensed immigration adviser helps with job offers, partnership and residence applications, and anything on your FBI record. If your case involves a decline or character concerns, talk to an adviser or immigration lawyer before you reply to INZ.
Tell us your situation and we'll introduce you to a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer. It's free to ask.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand, "How to get a police certificate" (United States), "Working Holiday Visa" (United States) and "Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis"; FBI, "Identity History Summary Checks"; read 28 October 2026.