Registry ceremonies

A registry ceremony has a set cost and standard vows. You have to have it on a weekday, and not a public holiday.

  1. 1

    Decide where in NZ

    You need to arrange a celebrant and a venue.

    When you apply for your marriage licence online, you’ll have the opportunity to select a celebrant based on the location you’d like for your ceremony. The celebrant may be able to offer a venue for you. This is limited to 20 guests, and you must check with the celebrant. Otherwise they’ll agree on a venue with you when you contact them.

    Virtual weddings

    Under the Marriage Act, a marriage can’t occur virtually. That is, you cannot use video conferencing software, for example, Zoom, Skype and so on) and the couple, celebrant and witnesses must be physically present in the same place.

  2. 2

    Apply for a marriage licence

    You have to get a marriage licence at least 3 working days before the ceremony. A licence confirms it’s legal for you to marry.

  3. 3

    Arrange witnesses

    You need to bring 2 witnesses to the ceremony.

    Who can be a witness

    Your 2 witnesses must understand what’s happening during the ceremony. They must be able to clearly identify both of you and be satisfied you both consent to the marriage.

    They:

    • don’t need to have known you for any specific length of time and
    • can be children of any age, so long as they understand the concept of a marriage.

    If the witnesses speak a different language to you, you’ll need an interpreter. The interpreter has to sign a declaration before the ceremony to say they’ll interpret what you say accurately.

  4. 4

    Get married

    You must use standard vows:

    After the ceremony, your celebrant will give you a “Copy of particulars of marriage”. This is not the same as a marriage certificate.

    They’ll use another “Copy of particulars of marriage” to register your marriage with the NZ government.

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