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  Getting married in New Zealand? |
 Anybody can marry in New Zealand as long as they are legally free to marry. Under New Zealand law, this means:
Before You Get Married... Decide When and Where you want to get Married You will need to advise us of the specific date on which you will be married. You will also need to decide where you wish to have the ceremony whether it be at the wedding venue, a local church, on the beach, or other options. Choose a Marriage Celebrant In New Zealand you must be married by a registered marriage celebrant. This may be a Registrar of Marriages, a civil marriage celebrant, or a minister of a church. Get a Marriage License Blood tests and other complicated procedures are not required in New Zealand. You only need to get a Marriage License. In order to do this, you will need to: 1. Complete an application form called a "Notice of Intended Marriage" If you live in New Zealand (or if you will be in New Zealand for at least three business days ahead of your wedding (either the bride or groom, or both)) - you must make this application on Form BDM 60 in the presence of a Registrar of Marriages in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or Manukau City. If you live outside of New Zealand and will not arrive in New Zealand until immediately before the date you want to marry - You may complete the application on Form BDM 58 and send the form to the Registrar of Marriages. The application form must be received by the Registrar at least three business days before your wedding day. 2. Make a "Statutory Declaration" As part of completing the application form for a marriage license, you will need to make a statutory declaration that there is no lawful impediment to the marriage i.e., no legal reason that you cannot marry, the details you give are true, the bride and groom are not within the "prohibited degrees of relationship" and parental consent has been given (if either of you are under 20 years of age). 3. Pick Up the "Marriage License" You will need to collect your Marriage License in person from the Registrar of Marriages before your wedding date. If your trip cannot be arranged to include passing by the Registrar's office on a week day, visiting a NZ representative in your own country can accomplish what is needed. Marriage Licenses are valid for three months from the date of issue. During that period you are free to marry at the place specified on the marriage license. The name of the celebrant must be given on the form in order for your license to be issued. The celebrant must be registered to conduct marriages in New Zealand. (Click the link below to find out more and to get the current marriage license fee). The Marriage Ceremony New Zealand law has no requirements regarding the format of your marriage ceremony. You may tailor the ceremony as you wish in coordination with your celebrant. The Certificate of Marriage The Marriage License will be completed by the celebrant or minister and subsequently returned to the Registrar of Marriages. Immediately after the ceremony, you will receive a copy of the "Particulars of Marriage" which is, in fact, your true marriage certificate. However, some couples prefer to obtain a "Certificate of Marriage" for general use, as the copy of the Particulars of Marriage has the signatures of the bride and groom on it. Visit this website for more information - www.bdm.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marr iages-Marriages?OpenDocument |
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