The Department of Internal Affairs is warning people against using unofficial websites selling New Zealand birth certificates.

Registrar-General Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery, says hundreds of New Zealanders order birth certificates from off-shore ordering services, which charge $69, and take longer than ordering online through the official website for as little as $33.

“When it comes to getting important government issued documents don’t risk paying too much, waiting longer than you need to or even being scammed – if you’re doing it online, do it the official way,” says Mr Montgomery.

If you’re ordering a birth, death or marriage certificate, the only website the department endorses is the official govt.nz page, www.certificates.services.govt.nz