How to Get a Marriage Licence in New Zealand
When to apply for your marriage licence in New Zealand, the questions to ask, what you'll be asked for and what happens after the ceremony.
The short answer
To get legally married in New Zealand you need a marriage licence from Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM), part of Te Tari Taiwhenua, the Department of Internal Affairs. The process is straightforward, but the timing matters.
Your to-do list, paced to your date. Start free
General guide only. This isn't legal advice, and processing times and fees change. Check the current details on govt.nz's Get a marriage licence page or with Births, Deaths and Marriages, and talk to your celebrant.
When to apply
You apply by giving notice of intended marriage to BDM. Your licence takes some time to be issued, and once it is, it's only valid for a limited period. So there's a sweet spot: not so early that it expires before your wedding, and not so late that it isn't ready in time.
Check the current processing time and how long a licence lasts on govt.nz before you pick a date to apply, and allow extra time over the busy summer season. Your celebrant will have seen plenty of couples through this and can tell you when to apply.
What you'll be asked for
The notice asks for details about both of you, your celebrant and where you're marrying. Before you start, check with BDM:
- what details they need about each of you
- what to tell them about a previous marriage or civil union, if either of you has had one
- whether a civil union suits you better than a marriage (we compare the two in civil union or marriage?)
- whether you'll need to make a declaration, and who has to make it
- the current fee, and whether to apply online or on a paper form
On the day
Your celebrant needs your licence before the ceremony. Ask them how many witnesses you'll need and who can sign as one.
After the ceremony
Your celebrant sends the signed documents to BDM to register your marriage. Once it's registered, you can order your official marriage certificate, which you'll want if you're changing your name.
Keep on top of it
Add your wedding date to Online Wedding Invitation and your checklist includes marriage licence reminders, timed to your date, plus te reo Māori bilingual options for your wedding website.
For where the licence fits among everything else, see our month-by-month planning checklist.
Quick questions
Where do we get a marriage licence in New Zealand?
From Births, Deaths and Marriages, part of Te Tari Taiwhenua, the Department of Internal Affairs. You apply by giving notice of intended marriage.
When should we apply for our licence?
Not so early that it expires before the wedding, and not so late that it isn't ready. Check the current processing time and how long it lasts on govt.nz, and ask your celebrant.
What happens to the licence on the day?
Your celebrant needs it before the ceremony, and afterwards sends the signed documents to BDM to register your marriage. You then order your certificate.