Before the marriage
In legal terms, a marriage is the formalisation of a relationship between a man and a woman, in accordance with the Marriage Act 1955. Indepth information on the rules, criteria and processes for couples wanting to marry in New Zealand is available from Births, Deaths and Marriages offices and on their website.
These are some of the things you’ll need to do before you can be married:
- Ensure you are legally free to marry
- Choose an approved Marriage Celebrant
- Choose a place to hold the ceremony and a backup contingency.
- Complete and return to BDM a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ form.
- Once this has been approved and processed collect the Marriage Licence and your ‘Particulars of Marriage’ documents (two).
- Deliver these forms to your Marriage Celebrant before the ceremony.
During the marriage
For a marriage ceremony to be correctly solemnised and legally binding:
- The marriage vows must include the words “I AB Take you CD to be my legal wife/husband” or words to similar effect.
- The full name of the bride and groom, as stated on the Marriage Licence, must be used at some stage during the ceremony.
- The marriage must be solemnised by an approved marriage celebrant and in the presence of at least two other witnesses.
- The couple, the celebrant and the two witnesses must all sign both copies of the ‘Particulars of Marriage’.
After the marriage
- The married couple keep one of copy of the ‘Particulars of Marriage’ the celebrant sends the other copy to Births,Deaths and Marriages, so the marriage can be registered.
- If you want a Marriage Certificate one can be obtained from Births, Deaths and Marriages on payment of a fee and completion of an application form.
FOR FULL DETAILS OF YOUR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS PLEASE GO TO BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES www.bdm.govt.nz
