F4.40 Evidence

F4.40.1 Evidence of relationship of parent(s) to children

1. Evidence of a parent’s relationship to their children is original or certified copies of:
   1. birth certificates establishing the relationship of the children to the parent; or
   2. household registration documents, if these establish the relationship of the children to the parent; or
   3. evidence of adoption (see R3), which establishes the relationship of the children to the parent.
2. Other evidence establishing the relationship of the children to the parents may also be provided, or requested by an immigration officer.

F4.40.5 Evidence of relationship to grandparent where the sponsoring adult child's parents are deceased

1. Evidence of the sponsoring adult child's relationship to their grandparent(s) is original or certified copies of:
   1. birth certificates establishing the relationship of the sponsor to the grandparent(s); or
   2. household registration documents, if these establish the relationship of the sponsor to the grandparent(s); or
   3. evidence of adoption (see R3), which establishes the relationship of the sponsor to the grandparent(s).
2. Other evidence establishing the relationship of the sponsor child to the grandparent(s) may also be provided, or requested by an immigration officer.

F4.40.10 Evidence of legal guardianship where the sponsoring adult child's parents are deceased

Evidence of legal guardianship of the sponsoring adult child includes but is not limited to documents showing that the principal applicant had custody of the sponsor and the right to control the sponsor's upbringing before the sponsor attained the age of 18, such as the following:

1. legal documents (such as the sponsor parent's will) showing that the principal applicant was named as the guardian of the sponsor, to have custody of the sponsor and the right to control their upbringing in the event of the death of the sponsor's biological or adoptive parents; or
2. a court order granting legal guardianship of the sponsoring adult child to the principal applicant (including custody of the sponsor and the right to control their upbringing) after the death of their parents and prior to the sponsor attaining the age of 18 years; or
3. documents showing that the sponsor lived with the principal applicant after the death of their parents and prior to the sponsor attaining the age of 18 years; or
4. documents such as medical and school records indicating that the principal applicant acted in the role of a parent for the sponsor after the death of their biological or adoptive parents and prior to the sponsor attaining the age of 18 years.

F4.40.15 Evidence that parents are deceased

1. Evidence that a sponsoring adult child's parents are deceased is original or certified copies of death certificates for both parents.
2. Where a death certificate is unobtainable, other documentary evidence must be provided that satisfies an immigration officer that the sponsor's parents are deceased, and the date(s) of their death.
3. A death certificate is considered to be obtainable even if there is a possible delay or expense in obtaining it.

F4.40.20 Evidence of dependence

1. Up to and including 20 years of age, if a child is unmarried then he or she is presumed to be dependent.
2. For children aged 21 to 24, evidence of actual independence may be required.

F4.40.25 Evidence of sponsorship

Evidence is a Sponsorship Form for Residence in New Zealand that:

1. confirms that the sponsor/s meet the requirements for sponsors who are natural persons set out at R4.5(d); and
2. contains the undertakings required (see R4.10).

F4.40.30 Evidence that the sponsor(s) (in case of joint income) meet the minimum income requirement

Evidence of meeting the minimum income requirement for the sponsors (see F4.35.5) must be demonstrated through their annual Inland Revenue tax statements or Summary of Income (see F4.35.5.10), whichever is relevant to their employment status.

F4.40.35 Evidence to be considered ‘ordinarily resident’ in New Zealand

Evidence of the sponsor/s to be considered ‘ordinarily resident’ in New Zealand may include but is not limited to:

1. correspondence addressed to the sponsor/s
2. employment records
3. travel movements outside of New Zealand
4. banking records
5. rates demands
6. Inland Revenue records
7. mortgage documents
8. tenancy and utility supply agreements
9. documents showing that the New Zealand partner’s household effects have been moved to New Zealand.

F4.40.40 Verification of family details and documents

1. Immigration officers may refer to former applications lodged by applicants, family members of applicants or sponsors in order to verify declarations made by applicants about their family details (such as the number of family members, the whereabouts of family members, or an applicant's or partner's marital status).
2. Income tax statements submitted may be verified with the Inland Revenue Department.

Effective 12/10/2022