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On this page, you’ll find answers to questions people ask most often about the new online service for criminal conviction history checks.
You’ll now be able to apply online for a criminal conviction history check. If for some reason you’re unable to apply online, you can still fill out a paper form. This service will remain free of charge for both options.
Once the new service goes live, you’ll find a copy of the paper form on our website.
You can also get a paper copy of the form from your local District Court.
If you apply online, you’ll receive your results by email. Email results are treated as a formal document in the same way as if you received them in the post.
If you apply using a paper form, you can choose whether you receive your results by email or in the post (note - you can only choose one option).
Once you receive your criminal conviction history check results, you can share them with anyone you want. If you chose to receive your results by email, they’re treated as a formal document in the same way as if you received them in the post.
There’s no set timeframe. Different organisations and employers have different requirements about how current they want your criminal conviction history check to be. There’s no expiry date on the results you receive – only the date it was requested.
No. We’ll send the results directly to you, and you can then pass it on to anyone else you choose to.
We aim to respond to all requests within three working days from the date you made your request.
Yes, you can, provided your electronic signature matches the signature on the identification document you provided with your application. We’re unable to accept typed signatures.
Yes. You can apply using a paper form. Just tick the option on the form that you’d like to receive the results by post.
You’ll need to have a valid postal address to receive the results of your check.
You can help someone to complete the form. However, they’ll need to sign the form to acknowledge they consent to the request being made.
You can only receive a hard copy of the results if you apply using a paper form. The results you receive by email are the same as the results you’ll receive in the post.
If you think the result of your check is incorrect contact us at cchonline@justice.govt.nz and we will look into your results.
No, we are unable to amend the information on the request once it has been submitted. If you made an error, you will need to submit a new request.
We don’t have a tracking service for individual requests or for paper form applications. If you apply online and tick the box to receive a confirmation email once you’ve completed your request, you’ll receive a reference number.
Yes, you can hand in a completed paper copy of the application form at your local District Court. They’ll send the form on to the criminal conviction history check team.
No, but you’ll need to provide your residential address.
No, you can submit as many requests as you need.
Unfortunately, we can’t fast-track requests. We aim to respond to all requests within three working days.
Yes.
We aim to respond to all requests within three working days.
No, once the new service goes live (scheduled for 3 May 2021) all applications will need to come through the new webservice. The current priority service will no longer be available after this date.
From 19 April–3 May 2021 (or such other dates notified by the Ministry), the application process will be the same as it currently is. However, all applications will have a flat fee of $11.00 and we aim to respond to all requests within three working days.
You just need to ensure that you meet the requirements of the new contract, including privacy, confidentiality and security requirements.
You can view a copy of the new Contract for Online Delivery of Criminal Conviction Histories at:
Contract for Online Delivery of Criminal Conviction Histories [PDF, 652 KB]
Yes, you can register any time from now.
If you can’t meet the new contract requirements, you won’t be eligible to become a registered third party.
You can ask individuals to request their own criminal conviction history check and then forward the results to you.
There is no statutory requirement, mandate or policy requiring the Ministry to provide this service to third parties. We do so in the public interest.
Third parties using the service are primarily doing so as part of an employment recruitment process. We consider it’s reasonable to expect them to contribute to the cost of providing the service. Fees have been set to recover the actual and reasonable costs related to the service.
If we haven’t already contacted you and you’d like to register for the new online service, please get in touch with us so we can send you all the information you need to register.
Registering for the service requires you to:
Once we’ve received your signed contract, we’ll set up your administrator/s and provide them with user guides. They can then set up and train your organisation’s other users.
The new system will be relatively easy to use; however, support will be available should you need help.
To begin the registration process, email cchonline@justice.govt.nz.
The results you’ll receive from us will be in the form of an original PDF format document. There’s no requirement to get it validated.
Yes, there will be no change to the look of the results document.
All results are provided in the English language. If you need them translated into another language, you’ll need to arrange this.
No, but we would ask you to let us know in advance if you’re intending to consistently submit more than 300-400 requests per day.
No. You only need to register once for multiple locations of your business.
Yes.
Your dashboard will default to the last 30 days; however, you can change this (up to a maximum of the last 90 days).
Yes, you can choose one of these two payment options. Note however, that we do reserve the right to change the payment method if needed – we’ll let you know if this happens.
If you choose to pay by credit card, it will be a ‘pay as you go system’ – you’ll pay for the number of requests you submit at the time of submission.
If you choose to be invoiced, you’ll receive an invoice from us at the beginning of each month for requests we processed the previous month.
No. With the new service, there will be one flat fee for all requests. We aim to respond to all requests within three working days.
Yes. From 3 May 2021, we’ll be introducing a new email address for you to get in touch with us (please note, this will be for queries only, not criminal history check requests). The address details will be provided closer to that date.
You’ll have two options:
Unfortunately, if you can’t meet the new contract requirements, you won’t be eligible to become a registered third party.
You can ask individuals to request their own criminal conviction history check and forward the results to you.
There is no statutory requirement, mandate or policy requiring the Ministry to provide this service to third parties. We do so in the public interest.
Third parties using the service are primarily doing so as part of an employment recruitment process. We consider it’s reasonable to expect them to contribute to the cost of providing the service. Fees have been set to recover the actual and reasonable costs related to the service
No. Once the new online service goes live (scheduled for 3 May 2021), we’ll only be processing third-party applications through the new online service. Any applications received on a paper form will be returned. The P.O Box will be closed from 30 April 2021.
If we haven’t already contacted you and you’d like to register for the new online service, please get in touch with us so we can send you all the information you need to register.
Registering for the service requires you to:
Once we’ve received your signed contract, we’ll set up your administrator/s and provide them with user guides. They can then set up and train your organisation’s other users.
The new system will be relatively easy to use; however, support will be available should you need help.
To begin the registration process, email cchonline@justice.govt.nz.
There’s no set timeframe. Different organisations and employers have different requirements about how current they want your criminal conviction history check to be. There’s no expiry date on the results you receive – only the date it was requested.
No, but we do ask you to let us know in advance if you’re intending to consistently submit more than 300-400 each day.
No. If you register as a third party, you must submit all requests through the online service. Paper forms will only be available as an option for individuals requesting their own information.
Registering for the service is free. You’ll only be charged for the criminal conviction history check applications you submit.
Yes, an individual can request their own check and once they receive the results, they can forward it to a third party. We aim to respond to all requests within three working days.
You’ll remain registered until one of the parties (you or the Ministry) terminates the contract.
You’ll need to register under the new company.