Getting married

How to get married in NZ

A step-by-step guide to getting married or having a civil union in New Zealand.

Getting married overseas

If you’re getting married or having a civil union overseas, you usually don’t need to do anything in NZ beforehand — check with the country's officials if you need to do anything there.

Find a marriage celebrant

Only registered celebrants can perform weddings or civil unions in New Zealand. You need to arrange your celebrant before you can get a marriage licence.

Registry office weddings

You can choose whether to get married by a celebrant at a location you choose or by a Registrar of Marriages in a registry office.

Find a registry office

It costs $173.70 to get married at a registry office, including the cost of the marriage licence.

• North Island registry offices
• South Island registry offices
• Chatham Islands registry office

Get a marriage licence

You can’t get married or have a civil union in NZ without a marriage licence. You need to arrange your licence at least 3 working days before you want to get married.

Changing your name when you get married

In New Zealand, you don’t usually have to do anything special if you want to change your name after you get married or have a civil union.

Get a marriage certificate

Your New Zealand marriage or civil union certificate is an official record of your marriage. It costs $26.50 to get a copy sent to you.

Change a civil union to a marriage

You can change your civil union to a marriage (or your marriage to a civil union) without dissolving your current relationship. You need to complete a form and hold another marriage or civil union ceremony.

Submit a notice of objection to someone’s wedding

If you think there are legal reasons why a couple shouldn’t get married or have a civil union, you can lodge a caveat or notice of objection.

Become a marriage celebrant

Celebrants can legally perform marriages and/or civil unions in New Zealand. You can choose to be independent or connected with an approved church or organisation.

Once you're a celebrant

Once you're registered as a celebrant you can perform marriages or civil unions in New Zealand. You need to renew your registration each year and keep your contact details up-to-date.