If you’re beginning to look into the legal side of getting married in New Zealand, this is often the stage where couples feel most unsure about what is required, especially when planning from overseas. I personally guide every New Zealand Dream Weddings couple through the legal steps that follow so everything is completed correctly. This means you can move forward knowing this part of your wedding day is carefully looked after from the very beginning.
You don’t need to work through the legal requirements on your own – I help bring everything into place as part of planning your elopement so the process feels clear, simple and stress-free.
With the right planning support, many couples are legally married in New Zealand within about 10 days of their first enquiry, depending on availability.
Founded in 1999 – New Zealand’s longest-running elopement specialist.
Marriage License & Legal Information
Eloping in New Zealand means legally marrying in one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, with all planning, legal requirements, and logistics handled correctly. This section explains how elopements work in New Zealand – including marriage licences, legal requirements, witnesses, authorised celebrants, and what overseas couples need to know – so you can feel calm, informed, and confident as you plan your wedding day.
New Zealand’s marriage process is beautifully simple, whether you’re travelling from overseas or you live here. I personally guide every couple through the legal steps so everything is clear, stress-free, and completed correctly.
If you’re planning an elopement from overseas, you may also find our guide helpful – How to Elope in New Zealand.
Getting Legally Married in New Zealand
You only need a few things to make your ceremony legally binding:
A marriage licence
An authorised celebrant
Two witnesses
Saying the required legal words
Signing the paperwork
I oversee all the details to make sure nothing is missed.
How to Apply for Your Marriage Licence
Most couples apply online through New Zealand’s Births, Deaths & Marriages website.
It takes around 10 minutes, and your licence is issued within 3 working days.
Step 1 - Apply Online
You’ll enter your details, your ceremony date, and your celebrant information (I provide all of this for you).
Step 2 - Receive Your Licence by Email
Your licence documents arrive as a PDF.
Just forward them to me – I check everything to ensure it’s correct.
Step 3 - Ceremony & Signing
On your wedding day, we sign the licence together with your celebrant and witnesses.
The moment it’s signed, you are legally married in New Zealand.
Legal Requirements (Clear & Simple)
You must both be 18 or older. (16–17-year-olds need parental consent.)
Not Already Married
If previously married, you’ll need proof of divorce when applying.
Registered Celebrant
The ceremony must be performed by an authorised New Zealand celebrant – I only work with fully registered professionals.
Two Witnesses
They must be physically present and able to understand the ceremony.
(If you’re eloping alone, we provide them at no extra cost.)
Legally Required Words
Your celebrant guides you through the simple wording required by NZ law – you don’t need to memorise anything.
Registration
Your celebrant submits your signed papers to Births, Deaths & Marriages. Once processed, your marriage is officially recognised.
For Couples Living in New Zealand
If you live in New Zealand, the process is the same – quick and completely online – with one extra convenience:
Step 1 - Apply Online Through BDM
Takes about 10 minutes.
You’ll enter your details, your ceremony date, and my celebrant information.
Step 2 - Tick the Option to Pre-Purchase Your Marriage Certificate
NZ couples can pre-pay for their Marriage Certificate while applying for the licence.
This means:
It is automatically issued after your ceremony
You don’t need to request it later
It often arrives sooner
Step 3 - Licence Issued
You receive your licence by email within 3 working days – just forward it to me.
Step 4 - Ceremony & Registration
After your wedding, BDM posts your certificate automatically if you prepaid.
Travelling to New Zealand for Your Wedding or Elopement
Most overseas couples travelling to New Zealand for their wedding enter the country using either a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) or a Visitor Visa, depending on their passport.
Travelling to New Zealand for a wedding or elopement is treated the same as visiting for tourism purposes. There is no special “wedding visa” required.
Many visitors from visa-waiver countries (including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and much of Europe and Asia) apply online for an NZeTA, which is typically processed within around 72 hours. If your passport is not from a visa-waiver country, you will instead apply online for a Visitor Visa through Immigration New Zealand.
Because entry requirements depend on your nationality, the best place to confirm what applies to you personally is the official Immigration New Zealand website:
Check your travel requirements here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visit
While NZDW guides you through the legal marriage process itself, immigration applications are completed directly by the couple.
Ordering Your Marriage Certificate
Your certificate is the official document you’ll use for name changes and international recognition.
You can order:
PDF version (fastest)
Printed copy (posted anywhere in the world)
I guide you through which option is best for you.
Apostilles & Authentications (International Couples)
Many countries require your NZ marriage certificate to be verified for overseas use.
What is an Apostille?
A government-issued international certification used by countries in the Hague Apostille Convention.
Most of my Australian, UK, European, and US couples need this.
What is an Authentication?
For countries not in the Hague Convention – a two-step process involving Internal Affairs and your embassy or consulate.
I Personally Arrange All Certificates, Apostilles & Legalisation
With nearly 30 years of experience working directly with Births, Deaths & Marriages – Internal Affairs, I handle every step of the legal paperwork for you.
I arrange:
Your official Marriage Certificate
Applied for correctly and promptly after your ceremony.
Apostilles
For Hague Convention countries – completed and processed.
Authentications
For non-Hague countries – full process managed on your behalf.
Direct Courier Delivery
Your certified documents are sent straight from Internal Affairs to your home address anywhere in the world.
Stress-Free & Accurate
You don’t need to fill out extra forms, contact offices, or understand government wording.
I take care of everything for you.
Witnesses for Your Ceremony
You need two witnesses for your legal signing.
If you are eloping alone, we provide witnesses for you – friendly, warm people who have helped many couples before you.
Need Help or Unsure About Anything?
If you’re unsure about which certificate you need, how to apply, or what to fill out, just ask.
I help every couple through these steps so your legal process is clear, simple, and completely stress-free.
Planning an elopement and want to check your legal timeline?
I’m always here to help – everything can be arranged quickly, easily, and with complete clarity.
Happy Planning
Donna
Read more about who NZDW’s planner is and the heart behind the business on our About page.