So, because it’s important to specify when and where you are getting married, you can only apply for your marriage licence in New Zealand once you have arranged for a marriage celebrant or chose a registry office to get married in, and organised where you will get married. Note, you can only get married at the venue you write on the marriage licence application form, so you may wish to include a back-up wedding venue. using your own vows – although you must say “I take you to be my legal.at the time and location of your choice, anywhere in New Zealand (this is not the case in many other countries, including the UK).Get married by an approved marriage celebrant ($150 + independent celebrant’s fee)Īn approved, registered celebrant can marry you: uses standard wedding vows – you can not write your own vowsĢ.isn’t open to the public – you’ll need to bring 2 witnesses.– either getting married at a registry office, or at a specified venue of your choice.ġ. There are two ways to get married in New Zealand, of which you must decide on prior to applying for your marriage certificate. Of course, same-sex couples also marry in New Zealand, and we provide a wedding destination for lesbian and gay couples who can’t marry at home. closely related by birth, marriage or adoption.under 16 (and you need the consent of a Family Court judge if you’re under 18).already married or in a civil union (unless you’re changing your relationship with the same person).Who can get married in New Zealand?Īnyone can marry in New Zealand as long as they’re not: If you’re reading this, you obviously like to be well organised and prepared, so pick up the ultimate bundle before you go – combining undoubtedly the best wedding planner with our beloved I still do wedding anniversary book.
It’s all very exciting planning your wedding, but without following the legalities of marrying in New Zealand, you’ll end up with a brilliant party and no spouse! NZ’s legal marriage requirements are fairly simple, the key element being to arrange a marriage licence between 3 days and 3 months in advance and registering the marriage after the ceremony.