Paperwork
What you legally need to marry in New Zealand
The good news: New Zealand is one of the most straightforward countries in the world to marry in. No residency, no minimum stay, no religious requirement. Just one form with a fixed clock on it.
General guidance, not legal advice · Last reviewed 20 August 2026
Overseas couples marry in Queenstown constantly, and the process is the same as it is for New Zealanders. You do not need to live here, stay a minimum number of days, or hold any particular visa beyond what your visit already requires.
The seven steps
- 01
Check you're eligible
Both of you must be 18 or over (16 and 17 year olds need Family Court consent), not already married or in a civil union to someone else, and not within the prohibited degrees of relationship.
- 02
Apply for a marriage licence
Complete a Notice of Intended Marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages. It can be lodged no more than three months before the ceremony, and the licence is valid for three months from issue.
- 03
Allow processing time
Three working days is the statutory minimum from a complete application. Apply several weeks out so a query does not become a crisis.
- 04
Book a registered celebrant
Your marriage must be solemnised by a celebrant on the official register. Confirm they are comfortable with your location and its access.
- 05
Arrange two witnesses
Two people over 18 who can see and hear the ceremony. For a two-person elopement these are usually your photographer and planner, arranged in advance.
- 06
Say the required words
New Zealand law requires two specific statements during the ceremony. Everything else — vows, readings, silence — is entirely yours.
- 07
Sign and register
You, your witnesses and the celebrant sign the licence. The celebrant lodges it, and you order a marriage certificate separately if you need one.
Documents for overseas couples
- Passports or other photo identification for both of you.
- If either of you has been married before, the divorce order or death certificate.
- Certified translations where documents are not in English.
- Family Court consent if either party is 16 or 17.
After the ceremony
Your celebrant lodges the paperwork and the marriage is registered in New Zealand. A printed marriage certificate is ordered separately and is usually what other countries, banks and immigration authorities will ask for. If you need it apostilled for use overseas, allow additional time after the certificate arrives.
Recognition of your New Zealand marriage at home is determined by your own country's law. Check with your local registry before you travel rather than after.
Names
There is no requirement to change any name. New Zealand does not issue a name-change document as part of marriage; a marriage certificate is the evidence most institutions accept.
With the paperwork understood, the rest is planning: the full guide and the step-by-step checklist.
Legal questions
- Can overseas couples legally marry in New Zealand?
- Yes. There is no residency or citizenship requirement and no minimum stay. You apply for a marriage licence like anyone else and the resulting marriage is registered in New Zealand.
- How long does the licence take?
- Allow at least three working days from a complete application, and apply several weeks ahead to absorb queries. A licence can be issued no more than three months before the ceremony and is valid for three months.
- Do we need witnesses?
- Yes, two witnesses aged over eighteen who can see and hear the ceremony. For a two-person elopement they are usually your photographer and planner or celebrant's assistant, arranged in advance.
- Will our marriage be recognised at home?
- New Zealand marriages are widely recognised, but recognition and any registration steps are determined by your own country. Confirm with your local authority before you travel.
Paperwork handled
Have the licence managed for you
Wonder Weddings walks couples through the notice, the timing and the celebrant booking as part of planning, so the legal side is done well before you fly.
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