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Births, Deaths and Marriages is responsible for the registration of all marriages that take place in New Zealand, and for the upkeep of, and access to those records. Through Births, Deaths and Marriages you can:

• Find out the legal requirements for getting married
• Apply for a marriage licence
• Locate a Marriage Celebrant
• Obtain information about how a marriage is registered
• Request a marriage certificate
• Order certificates and printouts over the Internet via Births, Deaths and Marriages Online
• Find information on getting married overseas
• Find information about recognition of an overseas relationship in New Zealand
• Apply to be appointed as a Marriage Celebrant
• Obtain application forms and find the associated fees
• Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding marriages
• Contact us

Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013

The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act has received Royal assent and will come into force by 19 August 2013. The date the changes take effect will be confirmed as part of new regulations to introduce marriage forms. The 4 months enables the Department to make the necessary changes to processes, systems and forms.

Summary of changes within the Amendment Act:

• The Amendment Act specifies that a marriage is between two people regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
• As a result of this change, it is expected that same-sex married couples will be eligible, under the Adoption Act 1955, to apply jointly to adopt a child.
• The Amendment Act clarifies that no marriage celebrant of a religious body or an approved organisation is obliged to solemnise a marriage would contravene the religious beliefs of the religious body or the religious beliefs or philosophical or humanitarian convictions of the approved organisation.
• The Amendment Act enables transgender people to continue to be married regardless of their gender identity.

Note: A marriage licence is not issued before the 3rd day after the day notice was given. Similarly, a Registry Office marriage could not occur before the 3rd day after the day notice was given.

For more information see our Marriage Amendment Act - Questions & Answers.

Changes to network of Registry Offices

In March 2013, there were a number of changes to the network of Registry Offices that provide marriage and civil union-related registry services. Futher information is provided in this 'Notice of March 2013 changes to marriage and civil union Registry Offices' (PDF, 3 pages, 903kb)