RealMe login and verified identity

Department of Internal AffairsVerified 16 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

RealMe is the New Zealand government's single login and online identity service. It has two parts. A RealMe login is a username and password that you can use for many services, such as myIR and Immigration New Zealand. A RealMe verified identity is a digital identity issued by the government. It lets you prove who you are online, for example to open a bank account online. Many services only need a login. Applying for a verified identity is free, and it lasts 10 years.

Key facts

Cost to apply: Applying for a RealMe verified identity is free¹
How long it lasts: 10 years if issued on or after 5 January 2023; 5 years if issued before that date²
Processing time: After you apply (online or at a partner store), you usually get a reply within 5 working days²
Documents you can use to apply: One of these: a New Zealand passport (expired is OK), a New Zealand birth certificate, a New Zealand citizenship certificate, or a New Zealand immigration record (NZ immigration record)¹
Referee requirements: Aged 16 or over, has known you for more than 1 year, and holds a current or expired New Zealand passport. They cannot be a relative, and cannot live at the same address as you¹
Photo at a partner store: If you cannot take your photo online yourself, you can have it taken for free at a RealMe partner store⁴
Address verification letter: If the system cannot match your address automatically, New Zealand Post will post a verification code to your home. This takes 5 to 7 working days²
RealMe help desk (24/7): 0800 664 774; from overseas +64 4 462 0674²
Govt.nz app digital credentials: The official information says digital credentials are expected to be available from October 2026⁵

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

RealMe login: this is just a username and password. It does not share your personal information. You can create one while you are overseas.
RealMe verified identity: you must have a RealMe login first. When you apply, you enter the details of one of these: a New Zealand passport (expired is OK), a New Zealand birth certificate, a New Zealand citizenship certificate, or a New Zealand immigration record (NZ immigration record).
Children aged 13 and under: most services do not need a child to have their own RealMe. If a verified identity is needed, a parent or legal guardian usually does it using their own RealMe account. If you still want to apply for your child, a parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form.
You can apply for or renew a verified identity while overseas. But you must be able to take your photo online with your own device, and you may need a referee. RealMe advises that very few services can be used with RealMe from overseas, so if it is not urgent, wait until you are in New Zealand.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Check which one you need
See whether the service says 'Log in with RealMe' (login only) or asks for a verified identity. Many services only need a login. For example, applying for a New Zealand passport or applying for a visa with Immigration New Zealand does not need a verified identity. You can check each service on the 'Where to use RealMe' list on the RealMe website.
Create a RealMe login
Choose a username and password. The first time you log in to a service that needs a higher security level, you will be asked to set up two-step verification (text message or an authenticator app). You can only add a New Zealand or Australian mobile number (optional). If you cannot receive text messages overseas, use an authenticator app.
Log in and apply for a verified identity
Log in to RealMe and enter the details of one document (New Zealand passport, birth certificate, citizenship certificate or immigration record).
Take your photo
Take your identity photo online with a phone, tablet or computer. If you cannot do this, go to a RealMe partner store to have your photo taken for free. The list of stores is on the website, and many are AA centres. Take your application number and any documents you were asked for.
Give referee details if asked
If you are asked, give your referee's most recent passport number, full name, phone number, date of birth, home address and email. Your referee must be able to answer the phone or reply to email, because RealMe may contact them to check.
Submit and wait for the result
After you submit, you will get an email explaining what happens next. You usually get a result within 5 working days. RealMe will contact you if they need more information. If you log in and see 'not yet verified', you do not have a verified identity yet.
Verify your address (if needed)
Some services also need a verified address. Log in to RealMe, go to 'Your Address' and select 'Verify my address'. This uses the New Zealand Post Address Verification Service. If your address matches, it is verified straight away. If not, wait for the code to arrive by post (5 to 7 working days), then log in and enter it.

What documents do I need?

A RealMe login (username and password)
Details of one of these documents: New Zealand passport (expired is OK), New Zealand birth certificate, New Zealand citizenship certificate, or New Zealand immigration record
A phone, tablet or computer that can take a photo (or go to a partner store for your photo)
Referee details (if asked): most recent passport number, full name, phone number, date of birth, home address and email
For children aged 13 and under: a consent form completed by a parent or legal guardian

What should I watch out for?

Your verified identity includes your photo, name, gender and date of birth. Each time you use it online, your details are only shared with the service after you agree.
RealMe gives examples of using a verified identity, such as opening a bank account online or applying online to replace a driver licence. On the RealMe website list, services marked as needing a verified identity include opening a personal account online with BNZ and Westpac, Enrol to vote, My Health Account and Driver licensing (replacement licence). Services that only need a RealMe login include myIR (two-step verification needed), My MSD, Immigration New Zealand visa applications and online passport services. Always check the latest list on the website.
Address verification only works with your primary home address in New Zealand. You cannot use an overseas address, a PO Box, a Private Bag or temporary accommodation.
You will get an email reminder before your verified identity expires. If you do not renew in time, you can still use your RealMe login for services that do not need a verified identity.
You cannot remove a mobile number registered for verification codes online yourself. Call 0800 664 774 (from overseas +64 4 462 0674) to do this.
Never share your login details with anyone. If you think your account is not safe, report it using the 'enquire online' form on the website and choose 'security or privacy concerns', or call the help desk and ask them to suspend your RealMe account.
The Govt.nz app is a separate free official government app. The official information says you do not need an account or login to use it. Its digital wallet will store digital credentials when they become available. Whether and how it works with RealMe will be explained by the government later.
This page is a plain-English summary of public information. Always check the RealMe website for the official details.

What has changed recently?

2026-10-16
RealMe help page updated: the usual reply time after you apply for a verified identity has been reduced from 10 working days to 5 working days.Source: realme.govt.nz ↗

Common questions

What is RealMe, and how is it linked to my myIR account?

RealMe is the New Zealand government's single login and online identity service, run by the Department of Internal Affairs. myIR only needs a RealMe login, which is a username and password, not a verified identity. You must also set up two-step verification for myIR, using a text message or an authenticator app.

What is the difference between a RealMe login and a RealMe verified identity? Which one do I need?

A RealMe login is a username and password and does not share your personal information. A verified identity is a digital identity issued by the government that proves who you are online, for example to open a bank account online. Many services only need a login. Check whether the service says 'Log in with RealMe' or asks for a verified identity, or check the 'Where to use RealMe' list on the RealMe website.

Can I get a RealMe verified identity if I am not a New Zealand citizen?

Yes, if you have a New Zealand immigration record. When you apply, you enter the details of one document: a New Zealand passport (expired is OK), a New Zealand birth certificate, a New Zealand citizenship certificate, or a New Zealand immigration record. You must create a RealMe login first.

How long does RealMe verification take, and does it cost anything?

You usually get a result within 5 working days, and applying is free. RealMe will contact you if they need more information. A verified identity issued on or after 5 January 2023 lasts 10 years. If your address must be verified by post, the code takes 5 to 7 working days to arrive.

Do I need a referee for RealMe? Who can be my referee?

You may need a referee, but only if RealMe asks for one. Your referee must be aged 16 or over, have known you for more than 1 year, and hold a current or expired New Zealand passport. They cannot be a relative or live at your address. You give their most recent passport number, full name, phone number, date of birth, home address and email.

Can I apply for RealMe while I am still overseas?

Yes. You can create a RealMe login overseas, and you can apply for or renew a verified identity overseas. You must be able to take your photo online with your own device, and you may need a referee. Very few services can be used with RealMe from overseas, so if it is not urgent, RealMe advises waiting until you are in New Zealand. Use an authenticator app if you cannot receive text messages.

How do I verify my address in RealMe?

Log in to RealMe, go to 'Your Address' and select 'Verify my address'. This uses the New Zealand Post Address Verification Service. If your address matches, it is verified straight away. If not, a code is posted to your home in 5 to 7 working days. You then log in and enter it. Only your primary home address in New Zealand works, not a PO Box, Private Bag, overseas address or temporary accommodation.

Is the Govt.nz app the same as RealMe?

No. The Govt.nz app is a separate free official government app, and you do not need an account or login to use it. Its digital wallet will store digital credentials, which are expected to be available from October 2026. The government will explain later whether and how it works with RealMe.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

RealMe verified identityDepartment of Internal Affairs (RealMe) · realme.govt.nz
Help – RealMeDepartment of Internal Affairs (RealMe) · realme.govt.nz
Where to use RealMeDepartment of Internal Affairs (RealMe) · realme.govt.nz
Find a RealMe partner storeDepartment of Internal Affairs (RealMe) · realme.govt.nz
The Govt.nz appGovt.nz (Government Digital Delivery Agency) · govt.nz

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