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One can become a U.S. Citizen through a variety of means—birth in the United States, birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, or through the naturalization process. For all of these, a specific series of legal requirements must be met. At the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in New Zealand, we can provide certification of U.S. citizenship for eligible individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. We also processes Certificates of Loss of Nationality for those U.S. citizens who would like to give up their U.S. citizenship or believe that they have expatriated themselves.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.
International Parental Child Abduction
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.
The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.
Emergency Financial Assistance
U.S. consuls can assist Americans abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the Consulate General or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). Consular officers can help destitute Americans contact family, bank, or employer to arrange for transfer of funds. In some cases, these funds can be wired through the Department of State.
U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
Claim U.S. Citizenship for children born abroad, renounce citizenship, etc.
The IRS does not maintain a permanent presence in New Zealand, and Consular staff are unable to answer inquiries regarding preparation and filing U.S. taxes. Therefore, we must direct all inquiries related to taxation to the IRS.
If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
The Social Security Administration’s Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila, Philippines provides a wide range of services for federal benefits. To receive assistance, please contact the FBU via their Online Inquiry Form. You may also contact the FBU by mail, phone or fax. MAIL: Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930 PHONE: +632-5301-2000 (Option 9), from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Manila Time) every Tuesday and Thursday, except on U.S. and Philippine Holidays FAX: +632-8708-9714 For additional information, please visit the FBU’s website at ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/.
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.
The U.S. Consulate General in Auckland services a district that includes New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Samoa and some other small Pacific Islands. There are marked differences between the legal systems of New Zealand and the United States, for example, in New Zealand a law practice functions similarly to a medical practice: one must first consult a barrister/solicitor (a lawyer who practices with a firm) before seeking the advice of a specialist or sole barrister, who practices on his/her own. If you cannot afford an attorney, Legal Aid may be able to assist you. The New Zealand Law Society, to which all New Zealand lawyers belong, is similar to bar associations in the United States.
When traveling or residing abroad, it is not uncommon for U.S. citizens to require medical assistance and treatment in New Zealand facilities. The Department of State provides general Medical Information for Americans traveling abroad.
Consular Officers abroad provide notarial services similar to the functions of a notary public in the United States. This service is available to both U.S. and foreign citizens who need to have documents notarized for use in the United States.
Outside Business Hours: The Embassy and Auckland Consulate General are closed weekends and U.S. and New Zealand public holidays.
In emergency situations, U.S citizens should contact American Citizen Services at AucklandACS@state.gov. This email address is monitored regularly throughout the day and we respond within 48 business hours. If you have not heard from us within 48 hours, or your situation requires attention immediately, please call us at +64 9 303 2724 and follow the prompts.
For after-hours emergencies call: +64 4 462 6000* and follow the prompts to speak with the after-hours Duty Officer. Please note the duty officer is not a consular officer and may refer you back to the consular section the next morning if the issue is not a life or death emergency.
* Please Note: These contact details are for U.S. Citizen emergency queries only.
For all other non-emergency U.S. citizen questions, please email AucklandACS@state.gov. Your email will be returned during business hours.
For Emergency Non-Immigrant Visa Requests, click here.
For all other non-emergency visa requests, please contact the Visa Information Service: 09 887 5999.
Please call: (64) (9) 303 2724
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (64) (4) 462 6000
Outside of New Zealand: (011) (64) (4) 462 6000
Emergency Contact – All Locations Enroll in STEP International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance