Get a marriage licence
Before you get married, you need to apply for a licence. A licence confirms it’s legal for you to marry. It costs $150 if you use a celebrant, and a registry ceremony costs $240 in total.
What you need to know
- You need to arrange your licence at least 3 working days before you get married.
- It expires after 3 months.
- If you’re using a celebrant, they have separate fees.
- Only one of you needs to complete the application, but you need information about both of you.
Apply online
Anyone can apply online, whether you’re in NZ or not.
Apply for a marriage licence online
If you want to use the paper form instead
Cost
Personalised ceremony
The licence costs $150.
Celebrants set their own fees, on top of the cost of the licence.
Registry ceremony
A registry ceremony costs $240 in total.
Who can get it
Most people can get a marriage licence. Same-sex marriages are legal in NZ.
You do not need to be an NZ citizen. Visitors to NZ can marry or have a civil union here.
What happens after you apply for a licence
Tip: If you have a back-up venue.
Put your back-up venue in your application. You can only have the ceremony in the places you’ve put on the application.
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