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Become an independent celebrant

Independent celebrants can perform marriages and civil unions in New Zealand. You must be available to the public — you cannot become a celebrant to perform a one-off ceremony for friends or family.

Overview

Who can apply

To become an independent celebrant you must be a New Zealand citizen and live here permanently.

If you want to perform ceremonies for an approved church or organisation, you must apply to become an organisational celebrant.

What it costs

The application fee to become an independent celebrant is $220. You only pay the 1 fee if you want to perform both marriage and civil union ceremonies.

The fee is non-refundable. For example, if we find that you live outside New Zealand, you will not receive a refund when your application is declined.

Before you apply

The Registrar-General, who decides on applications, strongly encourages all applicants to get celebrant training or join Celebrants Aotearoa at least 12 months before you apply.

Get celebrant training, support and information

Documents you need

As part of your application, you must provide supporting documents and take an online test.

Your supporting documents need to show that:

  • you are of good character
  • you will conscientiously perform the duties of a celebrant
  • making you a celebrant is in the interest of your community and the general public.

Your supporting documents must be:

  • dated
  • less than 6 months old.

Letters of support

You need at least 4 signed letters of support from people in your community. Each letter needs to include the information in the support letter checklist, and explain why you would be a good celebrant.

Independent celebrant support letter checklist (PDF 33KB)

Independent celebrant support letter checklist accessible alternative (txt 1.5KB)

Good character referees

You need 2 referees to fill in the good character form. Your referees cannot also provide letters of support.

Good character form (PDF 710KB)

Good character form accessible alternative (txt 1KB)

Criminal conviction history

You must include a copy of your criminal record from the Ministry of Justice.

Get a copy of your criminal record

Celebrant qualification, if you have one

If you have a celebrant qualification, provide a copy or a letter from the institution confirming you finished the course.

How to apply

Prepare for the online test

The online application includes a test.

You can prepare for this test by completing our short training course — allow roughly 1 hour.

Becoming a celebrant — training course

Get a verified RealMe identity

You need a verified RealMe identity to apply to become an independent celebrant.

Apply for your RealMe verified identity

Apply online and pay

Apply online using your verified RealMe identity.

  1. Make sure you have a scan or photo of each of your supporting documents. Save them to the computer, phone or device you are using to apply.
  2. Fill in the application form and complete the test.
  3. Attach your supporting documents to your application.
  4. Pay the fee of $220 with a credit or debit card.

Apply online to be an independent celebrant

What happens next

You usually find out if your application has been approved within 4 to 6 weeks. There is no urgent service.

Expect delays if you apply between October and January

Celebrant renewals are processed between October and January. If you apply at this time it can take up to 3 months for your application to be processed.

Attend an interview

We will contact you to arrange a Zoom interview within 2 to 3 weeks of applying.

If your application is approved

We will email you to let you know if your application is has been approved. You will be able to legally perform marriage or civil union ceremonies as soon as you receive the email.

Your name will also be added to the celebrant database so people can find your details online.

Locating a celebrant

Renew your celebrant registration

Once you are registered as a celebrant, you must renew your registration at the end of each year.

Renew your celebrant registration

Apply to perform registry ceremonies

Once you are a registered celebrant, you can also apply to perform registry ceremonies as well as personalised ceremonies. This is optional.

Registry ceremonies

If you want to perform registry ceremonies, you must:

  • be available on some weekdays
  • have access to a venue for the ceremony (for example, a local hall, beach, park or private residence)
  • be registered as a marriage and civil union celebrant
  • be a validated financial member of Celebrants Aotearoa and have achieved VCANZ, the celebrant validation process they offer.

To apply:

  1. Apply to become an independent celebrant, if you have not already.
  2. Join and get validated by Celebrants Aotearoa (fees apply).
  3. Apply to the Registrar-General to be approved to perform registry ceremonies.

Utility links and page information

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