What you need to know about getting married in New Zealand

Getting married in New Zealand has a simple application process with a relatively short turn-around time.

To get started, there is no residency period and it takes just a few days to be issued with your marriage license. If you’re looking to speed up the process and get some advice ididjeridoo is here to assist.

Wedding requirements as outlined by the New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages Office are:

•Decide on the desired location and the date for your marriage to take place.

•Select who will solemnize your marriage i.e. local registrar, civil marriage celebrant or minister of the church.

•Contact the New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages Office to obtain the ‘Notice of Intended Marriage Form’. Ididjeridoo are happy to lodge this form on your behalf.

•Where both the bride & groom-to-be do not normally live in New Zealand, a Commonwealth representative can witness the declaration. This can be arranged by contacting the nearest New Zealand diplomatic post.

•Once complete, send the form into the Registry Office (nearest to where you will be married) in New Zealand along with full payment (NZ$65). Again, ididjeridoo can take care of the Registry Office in New Zealand and have the form forwarded onto the person whom you have chosen to conduct your marriage ceremony.

•You should then arrange to visit this office once you have arrived in New Zealand.
•If either partner has had a previous marriage dissolved, you will need evidence of the dissolution or divorce.

•If you are under 20, you will need your parent’s permission to marry.
Once the Registry Office accepts the forms, a marriage license will be issued within a few days. The marriage license is valid for 3 months. Once again, if you want to hurry up the process, or if you are short of time, ididjeridoo are here to help!