Appoint a new partner as a guardian

You can apply to a deputy registrar or a judge

You can apply to a deputy registrar if:

• both of the child’s birth parents agree
• the new partner has had shared responsibility for the child’s day-to-day care for a year or more
• the new partner has never been involved in proceedings concerning a child under the Care of Children Act, Oranga Tamariki Act, or the Family Violence Act
• the new partner has never been convicted of an offence involving harm to a child
• this is the first time you or your child’s other parent have used this process to appoint a new partner as an extra guardian
• a deputy registrar approves the application.

You can apply to a judge if:

• your application doesn’t meet the criteria above
• the deputy registrar declines your application
• you have already used this process before.

After you apply

A deputy registrar will consider your application and decide to approve or decline.

If the deputy registrar approves your application

If your application is approved, the deputy registrar will send you a notice of approval to appoint. The notice is an official document saying your application has been approved and your new partner has been appointed as a legal guardian.

If the deputy registrar declines your application

If they decline your application, they’ll write this on the application form and return it to you. If you would still like your new partner to be a legal guardian of your child, you can apply to a judge.

Appoint another person as a guardian

How long it will take

This depends on when a deputy registrar can consider your application. If you want an update, freephone the Ministry of Justice on 0800 224 733.