FAQ: Weddings & Civil Unions

Who is responsible for getting the Marriage Licence?

 

You are responsible for applying for your marriage licence before your wedding. The licence is valid for 3 months and must be issued at least 3 working days before your ceremony.

 

Apply online here: Marriage Licence Application

 

I recommend applying well in advance to ensure everything is in place for your wedding day.

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How soon should I apply for my Marriage Licence? 

 

You should apply for your marriage licence at least three working days before you get married. Otherwise, you may not receive your licence in time. This licence is valid for 3 months, and you can get married any time within this 3-month period.

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How do I apply for my Marriage Licence? 

 

You will need to apply online at Births Deaths and Marriages; this costs $158 and is a non-refundable fee paid to the government. Please note this is at an extra cost to you and is not included in my celebrant fee. I also recommend that you pre-order your marriage certificate at the same time. 

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Is the Marriage Licence the same as a Marriage Certificate?

 

No. Your marriage licence is the legal document that authorises your marriage to take place. It must be signed during your ceremony and returned to Births, Deaths and Marriages to register your marriage.

 

Your marriage certificate is the official record of your marriage. You can order a copy of your marriage certificate when you apply for your marriage licence. It costs $35.

 

If you choose not to order a marriage certificate with your marriage license, you can order a certificate once your marriage has been registered. ​

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Do I need a Marriage Certificate?

 

If you've decided to change your name, it's a good idea to order an official marriage certificate. While some organisations may accept the Copy of Particulars (which you'll receive after your ceremony), many require a marriage certificate as proof of your marriage.

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I've applied for my Marriage Licence, what's next? 

 

Once your application is processed and approved, you'll receive two identical documents: a BDM45 and BDM45a. These are the Copy of Particulars to Marriage, which must be signed on your wedding day by you, your two witnesses, and your celebrant.

 

After the ceremony, you'll keep one copy and, as your celebrant, I'll send the other to Births, Deaths, and Marriages to officially register your marriage.​ You'll also receive a BDM10 which is your marriage licence. This is the document that allows me to legally wed you.

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My Marriage Licence has lapsed, what can I do? 

 

If the 3-month period expires and you need to postpone your wedding for any reason, you'll have to apply for a new licence and pay the fee again. With this time frame in mind, there's no need to rush to obtain your licence early on.​​​

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How do I change my name after getting married?

 

In New Zealand, changing your name after marriage is usually very straightforward. You don't need to complete any formal name-change process if you want to take your spouse's surname - you can simply start using it.

 

After getting married, you can choose to:

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• Keep your current surname

• Take your spouse's surname

• Hyphenate your surnames

• Use both surnames with a space between them

 

What's the best thing to update first?

 

Many people start by updating their driver's licence. Once you have photo ID in your new name, it becomes much easier to update your details with banks, employers, insurance providers, and other organisations.

 

You'll generally need:

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• Your current driver's licence

• Your marriage certificate

 

What about my passport?

 

You can apply for a new passport in your married name once you have your marriage certificate.

 

A helpful tip: if you're travelling internationally, make sure your airline tickets match the name on the passport you'll be travelling with. If your passport is still in your previous name, your bookings should be too.

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What does the wedding rehearsal cover?

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I highly recommend doing a rehearsal before your big day! It’s a great chance to go over all the important details, and it’ll leave you feeling confident and prepared. The rehearsal typically involves a full run-through of the ceremony and takes about 30 - 45 minutes, though I suggest allowing an hour just to be safe.

 

Here’s what we’ll cover during the rehearsal:

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• The order of service

• Who will be involved and their roles to ensure everything goes smoothly

• Where everyone will stand

• A practice run of the ceremony with your chosen music (we can go through this a few times so you feel comfortable with the timing)

• A final chat to make sure you’re feeling happy, confident, and stress-free!​

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Do we need to factor you into our food & drinks?

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That’s very kind of you to ask but there’s no need to include me in your catering. While I do enjoy spending time with couples, my role is to ensure your ceremony runs smoothly and your legal documents are submitted. After that, I’ll step away so you can fully enjoy celebrating with your friends and family.