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.
Official figures
- 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
Official sources
- 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
Read the full guide: RealMe login and verified identity →
People also ask
- What is RealMe, and how is it linked to my myIR account?
- What is the difference between a RealMe login and a RealMe verified identity? Which one do I need?
- Can I get a RealMe verified identity if I am not a New Zealand citizen?
- How long does RealMe verification take, and does it cost anything?
- Do I need a referee for RealMe? Who can be my referee?
- How do I verify my address in RealMe?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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