# Marriage licence rules in New Zealand

A New Zealand marriage licence costs NZ$158, must be arranged at least 3 working days before the wedding and expires after 3 months.

Updated 2026-10-01. Country: New Zealand. Also on the [web page](https://marriagelicense.fyi/guides/nz-marriage-licence-rules).

A New Zealand marriage licence costs NZ$158. You must arrange it at least 3 working days before the wedding, and it expires after 3 months. Births, Deaths and Marriages issues the licence.

## Applying

You can apply online from anywhere in the world. You can also use a paper form. People in New Zealand use form BDM 60. People outside New Zealand use form BDM 58.

With a paper form in New Zealand, you or your partner takes the notice to a Registrar of Marriages in person. The registrar witnesses you sign the declaration. If you apply from outside New Zealand, you sign the declaration in front of an authorised person.

When you apply, you choose your celebrant. Govt.nz suggests you check your celebrant is free before you apply.

## Who can marry

People under 16 cannot marry. People aged 16 or 17 need consent from a Family Court Judge.

Visitors can marry in New Zealand and do not need to be citizens. If you apply from overseas, you must visit a registry office after you arrive to sign a declaration.

## The ceremony

Only a registered celebrant can marry you. You can choose a personalised ceremony or a registry ceremony.

A registry ceremony uses standard vows. It takes place on a weekday between 9am and 5pm. It costs a set fee of NZ$175 on top of the licence. For a personalised ceremony, the celebrant sets the fee.

You need 2 witnesses. If they speak a different language from you, you need an interpreter. The couple, celebrant and witnesses must be in the same place. You cannot marry by video call.

## After the wedding

An official marriage certificate costs NZ$35. Births, Deaths and Marriages has offices in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington and Christchurch. All four are open by appointment only.

## Before you book

Fees and steps can change. Confirm the current details with Births, Deaths and Marriages or your celebrant before you book.

## Sources

- [Govt.nz: Get a marriage licence](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/get-a-marriage-licence/)
- [Govt.nz: How to get married in NZ](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/how-to-get-married-in-nz/)
- [Govt.nz: Personalised ceremonies](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/how-to-get-married-in-nz/personalised-ceremonies/)
- [Govt.nz: Registry ceremonies](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/how-to-get-married-in-nz/registry-ceremonies/)
- [Govt.nz: Order a marriage certificate](https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/get-a-marriage-certificate/)
- [Govt.nz: Births, Deaths and Marriages offices in New Zealand](https://www.govt.nz/organisations/births-deaths-and-marriages/births-deaths-marriages-offices/in-new-zealand/)

## Questions

### How much is a marriage licence in New Zealand?

Govt.nz says a marriage licence costs NZ$158.

### How long is the licence valid?

It expires after 3 months.

### Can visitors marry in New Zealand?

Yes. Visitors can marry or have a civil union in New Zealand. You do not need to be a citizen.

### How many witnesses do I need?

You need 2 witnesses. They must understand what is happening during the ceremony.