Contact

Feel free to contact me:

Things to include: Location and date of your planned event, and any information you think would be relevant to your booking

Mobile: 0274 987 151
Email: celebrant@weddingswithjoy.org.nz

Legal Paperwork

Department of Internal Affairs Website

How do I get a Marriage Licence?

Complete a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ and go to an office of a Registrar of Marriages, to sign the statutory declaration before a Registrar of Marriages stating you are legally free to marry.  Births, Deaths and Marriages offer an online option to allow couples to complete their marriage applications/legal formalities.

What does ‘legally free to marry’ mean?

Legally free to marry means that you are not married or in a civil union already (unless you are changing the form of the relationship from a civil union with the same partner), are 16 years of age or over (and have parental consent if aged 16 or 17), are not closely related to each other in certain ways.

Where do I get a Marriage Licence?

Department of Internal Affairs – Notice of Intended Marriage BDM60 – Download here

How long before my wedding should I get the licence?

I suggest you give The Department of Internal Affairs – Births, Deaths and Marriages a minimum of 2 working weeks to provide documents.  My suggestion is to have it filed 3-5 weeks prior to your wedding date.  Remember a licence is only valid for three months from the date of issue.

Where do I take the Licence and Pay the fee?

This can all be done on-line now.  So there is no need to visit the BDM Office in person.  Documents will now be emailed to you or your selected celebrant, who will print and have them ready for your ceremony.  After the ceremony your celebrant will scan the signed documents and forward them back to BDM for registration.  Your celebrant will check your ID to make sure everything is correct.  If you need to talk to BDM for any reason:

Freephone: 0800 22 52 52 (New Zealand only)
Phone: +64 4 463 9362
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, except Wednesday 9:00am – 5:00pm

How much will it cost?

Pay the fee of NZ$150.00 for a marriage licence.  This includes an official copy of your Marriage Certificate once your wedding is registered. If you are wanting a Registry Office marriage to be held during normal office hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, and not on public holidays), the cost is $90 for the celebrant fee, payable directly to your chosen celebrant.