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Department of Internal Affairs – Te Tari Taiwhenua

BDM505

Application to lodge a caveat and notice of objection against the issue of a marriage or civil union licence, or a Registrar performing a ceremony

Last updated 04 June 2024

Email to: MarriageLicence@dia.govt.nz

Or lodge in person: At our Auckland, Manukau, Wellington or Christchurch counter locations. 
For locations visit www.govt.nz/bdm

Any person who has lodged a caveat shall, if the court considers the grounds on which the caveat was lodged to be vexatious and unreasonable, be liable for damages.

Any person may lodge a caveat or notice of objection to a marriage or civil union against any person named in the caveat, on the grounds that the marriage or civil union is one in respect of which a licence should not be issued.

Fee:
• A caveat costs $55. 
• Once the caveat is received by email, the BDM team will be in contact by phone to take payment by credit/debit card.
• Alternatively, you can lodge the caveat at one of the 4 DIA offices and pay the fee over the counter.

Expiration:
A caveat expires 1 year after the caveat is submitted and the fee is paid, unless earlier withdrawn by the caveator or discharged by a Judge.

Procedure if person applies for a licence:
If the person/s named in the caveat apply for a licence to get married or enter into a civil union, the Registrar will send the caveat to the Family Court. A Judge will decide if the caveat is valid or not. If the Judge considers the reasons given in caveat are not sufficient to stop a licence being issue, the court will discharge (cancel) the caveat and a licence will be issued. If the Judge considers the reasons given are valid, a licence will not be issued and the caveat will remain in force until it expires.

Contact Births, Deaths and Marriages on 0800 22 52 52 (New Zealand only) or email MarriageLicence@dia.govt.nz

SECTION 1: Person who is lodging the caveat (the “caveator”) 

First name(s) ^
Surname  ^ 
First name(s) at birth (if different from above) ^ 
Surname at birth (if different from above)

Address
Flat/street number and name ^ 
Suburb ^ 
Town/city ^ 
Postcode ^ 
Country ^ 

Phone number ^ 
Email Address ^ 

SECTION 2: Person/s the caveat is lodged against

First name(s) ^ 
Surname ^ 

First name(s) ^ 
Surname ^ 

SECTION 3: Signature of caveator

Signature ^ 
Date signed (DD/MM/YYYY) ^ 

If you are signing on behalf of the caveator, state your full name ^ 

SECTION 4: Reasons why a marriage or civil union licence should not be issued ^