A marriage license in NZ is the legal authority required to marry. To obtain one, you must submit a Notice of Intended Marriage to the Department of Internal Affairs at least three working days before your ceremony. The license confirms you are legally free to marry and costs $150. It remains valid for three months from the date of issue.
Planning a wedding in Aotearoa is often an exciting whirlwind of venue hunting, guest list curation, and menu tasting. However, amidst the romance and celebration, there is a fundamental legal scaffolding that holds the event together. Without the correct paperwork, your wedding day is merely a ceremonial party rather than a legally binding union. Navigating the bureaucracy of the marriage license NZ process is the single most important administrative task you will undertake as a couple.
New Zealand’s marriage laws are governed by the Marriage Act 1955, which stipulates strict requirements regarding consent, age, and the formal notification of an intended marriage. Whether you are planning a barefoot beach elopement in the Coromandel or a grand cathedral wedding in Wellington, the legal process remains uniform. This guide serves as your definitive resource for navigating the legalities, ensuring that when you say “I do,” the law agrees with you.
Understanding the Marriage License in NZ
Many couples confuse the marriage license with the marriage certificate. It is vital to distinguish between these two documents to avoid administrative errors.
The Distinction Between License and Certificate
Think of the marriage license as your “permission slip.” It is the document you obtain before the wedding. It signifies that the Registrar of Marriages has reviewed your application and confirmed there are no legal impediments to your union (such as bigamy or being underage). You cannot get married without this document present at the ceremony.
Conversely, the marriage certificate is the official record obtained after the wedding has taken place and the paperwork has been processed by Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). You will need the certificate to prove you are married for purposes such as changing your name on a passport, applying for visas, or updating insurance policies.
Prerequisites: Who Can Legally Marry?
Before you log in to apply for your license, you must ensure you meet the basic eligibility criteria set out by New Zealand law. The Department of Internal Affairs is strict regarding these prerequisites.
- Age Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old to marry independently. If you are 16 or 17, you cannot marry without approval from a Family Court judge. Since 2018, parental consent is no longer sufficient for minors; judicial approval is mandatory to prevent forced marriages.
- Relationship Status: You cannot be currently married or in a civil union with someone else. If you have been married previously, you must provide accurate details of the dissolution (divorce) or the death of your previous spouse.
- Family Connection: You cannot marry a close relative. This includes parents, grandparents, siblings (including half-siblings), children, or grandchildren.
- Consent: Both parties must freely consent to the marriage.
Registry Office vs. Independent Celebrant
When applying for your marriage license, you will be forced to choose between two distinct types of ceremonies: a Registry Ceremony or a Personalised Ceremony. This choice dictates the cost and the nature of your application.
Option A: The Personalised Ceremony (Celebrant)
This is the most common option for couples wanting a traditional wedding, a backyard ceremony, or a specific venue. You choose a registered marriage celebrant to officiate.
- Flexibility: You can get married anywhere—a vineyard, a beach, or a church.
- Vows: You can write your own vows, provided you include the legal mandatory wording.
- Cost: The license fee is $150. You will also pay the celebrant directly for their services, which can range from $300 to $1,000+ depending on their experience.
Option B: The Registry Ceremony
This is a strictly regulated, low-cost option for couples who want a “no-frills” legal union. It is similar to a courthouse wedding.
- Restrictions: You must marry at a specific location (often a courthouse or local council office) during business hours (Monday to Friday).
- Guests: You are strictly limited to the couple and two witnesses. Large gatherings are not permitted.
- Vows: You must use standard vows; there is little room for personalization.
- Cost: The total cost is $240 ($150 for the license + $90 for the ceremony fee), paid directly to the government.
Note: You cannot switch between these easily once the license is issued without reapplying and paying the fee again, so choose carefully.
How to Apply for Your Marriage License
In the digital age, the process of applying for a marriage license in NZ has been streamlined significantly. While you can still use the paper form (BDM 475), the online process is faster and preferred.
Step 1: Gather Your Information
Before starting the online application, have the following ready:
- Full names, dates of birth, and places of birth for both parties.
- Full names of both sets of parents (including mothers’ maiden names).
- Details of any previous marriages (date of divorce/death).
- The date and location of the wedding.
- The name of your celebrant (if choosing a personalised ceremony).
Step 2: The Online Application
Visit the official Govt.nz marriage license portal. You will select “Apply for a Marriage License.” The system is intuitive and will guide you through the “Notice of Intended Marriage.” This is a statutory declaration where one partner declares the truth of the information provided.
Step 3: Statutory Declaration
Historically, you had to visit a court registrar to sign this. However, the online system now allows you to make these declarations digitally in most cases. If the system flags any issues, you may still be asked to sign a physical copy in front of a Registrar of Marriages, but this is becoming less common for standard applications.
Step 4: Payment and Processing
Pay the $150 fee via credit or debit card. Once submitted, the application goes to the Department of Internal Affairs. They will process the application and email the Licence and two copies of the “Copy of Particulars of Marriage” to your chosen celebrant (or to you, if you requested it, though it usually goes to the officiant).
Critical Timelines and Validity Periods
Timing is everything when it comes to the marriage license NZ workflow. The most common mistake couples make is leaving this administrative step until the last minute.
The Three-Day Stand-Down
By law, there is a mandatory three-working-day stand-down period between when you submit your application and when the license is issued. You cannot get married on the same day you apply. If you apply on a Monday, the earliest the license will be ready is Thursday.
The Three-Month Expiry
Once the license is issued, it is valid for exactly three months. If your wedding is postponed beyond this three-month window, the license becomes void. You will have to reapply and pay the $150 fee again. Therefore, the sweet spot for applying is usually 4 to 6 weeks before your wedding date. This allows ample time for processing without risking the license expiring before the big day.
Legal Wording and Vows During the Ceremony
While modern weddings often feature personalized vows that make guests cry, the law requires specific verbal components to make the union binding. Your celebrant is responsible for ensuring these requirements are met.
Mandatory Verbal Requirements
At some point during the ceremony, usually before the exchange of rings, you must say the following (or very similar) words to each other in the presence of the celebrant and witnesses:
“I [Full Name] take you [Partner’s Full Name] to be my legal wife/husband/partner.”
You must use your full legal names at least once. After the legal sentence is spoken, you are free to add your personal promises, poems, or anecdotes.
The Witnesses
You must have two witnesses present to sign the paperwork. They can be anyone (friends, family), but they must be old enough to understand the nature of the ceremony (usually interpreted as being of school age or older, though adults are preferred) and they cannot be intoxicated. They will sign the “Copy of Particulars” alongside the couple and the celebrant.
After the Wedding: The Marriage Certificate
Once the champagne has been popped and the ceremony is over, the paperwork journey has one final step. On the wedding day, you will sign two copies of the “Copy of Particulars of Marriage.”
- The Couple’s Copy: One copy is given to you immediately. This is a ceremonial record but is generally not accepted as official proof of marriage for legal name changes or banking.
- The Registrar’s Copy: The celebrant is legally required to return the second copy to the Department of Internal Affairs within 10 days of the wedding.
Ordering the Official Certificate
The official Marriage Certificate is not automatically sent to you. You must order it separately. You can do this when you apply for the license (by ticking a box and paying an extra $33) or order it anytime after the marriage is registered. This official certificate is the document required for changing your name on your driver’s license or passport.
Special Considerations for Overseas Couples
New Zealand is a premier destination for wedding tourism. If you are traveling from overseas to get married here, the process is largely the same, but there are extra considerations regarding the recognition of the marriage in your home country.
Residency Requirements
There are no residency requirements. You do not need to be a citizen or resident of New Zealand to marry here. You simply need a valid visa to be in the country.
Apostille Stamps
While a New Zealand marriage is legally recognized in most countries (including the US, UK, Australia, and Canada), some nations require an Apostille stamp or authentication on the marriage certificate to verify its legitimacy. This is an additional service provided by the Department of Internal Affairs. It is highly recommended that overseas couples check with their local authorities to see if an Apostille is required before leaving New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common queries regarding the marriage license process in New Zealand.
How much does a marriage license cost in NZ?
A standard marriage license in New Zealand costs $150. If you are having a Registry Ceremony, there is an additional ceremony fee of $90, totaling $240. An official marriage certificate costs an extra $33.
How long does it take to get a marriage license in NZ?
The Department of Internal Affairs requires at least three working days to process a marriage license application. It is recommended to apply at least 4-6 weeks before your wedding date.
Can you get married in NZ without a celebrant?
No, you cannot marry without an officiant. You must use either a registered independent marriage celebrant or a Registrar of Marriages (for a registry office wedding). A friend cannot officiate unless they become a registered celebrant.
Do I need a blood test to get married in New Zealand?
No, New Zealand law does not require blood tests or medical examinations to obtain a marriage license.
What documents do I need to apply for a marriage license?
Generally, you do not need to upload documents if you were born in NZ, as your identity is verified against internal records. However, if you are divorced, you may need the date of the dissolution. If you are from overseas, you may need to provide passport details.
Is a New Zealand marriage legal worldwide?
Yes, marriages legally performed in New Zealand are recognized in virtually all other countries. However, some countries may require an Apostille stamp on the marriage certificate for administrative purposes.
