Cook Islands Status is a passport endorsement that recognizes you as a Cook Islander by descent. Your passport reflects your citizenship status for the country it was issued in. Per Section 24 of the Cook Islands Immigration Act 2021, all Cook Islanders need to verify their descent and have their passport endorsed.
Birthplace alone isn’t sufficient evidence of Cook Islands heritage as non-Cook Islanders can also be born in the Cook Islands. All Cook Islanders, however, have the right to travel freely and reside in the Cook Islands. It’s recommended that Cook Islanders apply for the Cook Islands Status stamp in their passport.
Application Requirements:
- Copy of passport biodata page
- Copy of birth certificate
- Birth certificate of Cook Islands-born parent(s)
- Birth certificate of Cook Islands-born grandparent(s) if parent was born outside the Cook Islands
- Evidence of name change, such as marriage certificate or statutory declaration
Documents must be originals or certified color copies. For non-English documents, a certified English translation is required.
Application Fee: $30.00 per application, valid for the duration of the passport. A new application is required when the passport expires to transfer the stamp to a new passport.
Alternatively, you can submit your application in person at our customer service office in Avarua, directly opposite the Ministry of Justice. Click on this link to download a copy of the application form Cook Islands Status Application form.
For additional information, email [email protected].