Legal Requirements

The website of Births, Deaths and Marriages sets out the legal requirements for marrying in specific detail. What follows is only a brief and general summary adapted from their site. The Births, Deaths, and Marriages website address is www.bdm.govt.nz.

NOTE: A civil union can be entered into by same sex couples and by a man and a woman.

1. You must be legally free to marry or enter into a civil union. This means you must be over 16, not be married already and not be closely related to your partner.

2. Before you marry or enter into a civil union, you must decide on a time for the wedding, a venue, and a registered celebrant.

3. You need to apply for a marriage or civil union licence. Download the appropriate form the Births, Death and Marriages website (www.bdm.govt.nz) or call 080022 52 52 and Births, Death and Marriages will post it to you.

4. Making a Statutory Declaration. Once you have completed your form one or both of you need to actually go to your nearest Births, Deaths, and Marriages office and make a formal declaration that there is no legal impediment to your marriage or civil union.

5. Receiving your licence. Once you have completed steps three and four above and paid your licence fee ($120), Births, Deaths, and Marriages will issue your marriage or civil union licence within three days. It is valid for three months.

6. At the wedding. During the ceremony, the two partners must say to each other, 'I Jane take you Sam to be my lawful partner' or words to that effect. You and two witnesses must sign two copies of the forms called 'Copy of Particulars of Marriage / Civil Union.'

7. After your ceremony, you can apply for a Marriage or Civil Union certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages.