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punctuation. When you encounter the caret sign at the end of a line, please 
enter the applicable information, if necessary. *** 
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

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withdrawn by the caveator or discharged by a Judge.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 Call free 0800 22 52 52 or email MarriageLicence@dia.govt.nz

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

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

First name(s) ^ 
Last name ^ 

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 ^ 

Last updated 5 June 2019