[snailandthewhale]

hi,

I've read in a couple of different threads about taking extra passport style photos with you when you emigrate and I think also certified copies of passports.

Why is this? Just adults or children too?

Just curious....

Karen

[Hannah]

Depends what you are doing when you go to NZ - if you are going out on visitor visa and applying for PR out there then you will need a lot more than cert copy of passport and photos. As for needing photos at a later date for anything then you can get them done in a photo booth or pharmacy (they will meet the new passport regs). I needed lots of photos of each person for ITA form, medical forms, etc. I seemed to be forever going into pharmacy to get more done (esp. as we'd already applied for work permit first and student visas for kids so had to submit photos for that also!!!) I submitted certified copies of everything with my ITA application as didn't want to risk losing originals in post, although i did submit my actual passports (they will need them ultimately to put your PR stickers in!).
Maybe you could clarify why you think you would need the photos, although whatever reason do remember that you can just get them done in NZ. And you can get certified copies done by a Justice of the Peace (look up JP's in phone book -they certify copies for free, although it's courtesy to take copies along already done as the guy i used did the certifying in his own home and had no copier!)
hannah

[gil]

Hi Karen,
Having been here for 2.5 weeks, arriving with PR already, we have not needed any photos for anything, including school enrolments. I guess we will when we do the NZ driving test and get NZ driver licences though. We have not needed certified copies of passports either, photocopies have been ok for everyhting we have done, although we did have to get our application for enrolling our daughter at Macleans College signed by a solicitor (dead easy, just went into local solicitor's office, no fee and they did it instantly). Eldest had to provide a certified passport copy for uni application, but they indicated how to get one in the letter (again, dead easy, she just went to the admin office at AUT and they copied her passport and signed the copy for her).
So, based on my experience, if you come with PR, it's less likely you'll need photos/certified copies etc and if you do, they are very easy to obtain,

Gil

[veronica]

the main reason I would think for taking copies of the passports is in case you lose them. just remember to store them in a separate place to the real one. The driving licence ones are done at the testing centre on their computer.