It is important couples are aware of all the legalities surrounding a marriage.
One important aspect marriage celebrants require is the marriage licence. Couples marrying in the Otago/Southland area apply for a licence through the district court nearest them. Here they complete the appropriate type of Notice of Intended Marriage form, which includes a statutory declaration that the parties are free to marry each other and that all details supplied by them on the form are correct. A registrar of marriages then signs the declaration, when the required fee must be paid. The registrar, no sooner than three days after receiving the Notice of Intended Marriage, will issue the marriage licence along with copies of the Particulars of Marriage.
The three forms are then handed to the officiating celebrant.
After the ceremony and payment of the required fee a marriage certificate may be obtained from Births, Deaths and Marriages.
For all legal requirements covering civil unions and marriage, including passports, who cannot marry who, visit www.dia.govt.nz
Find out more about the role of marriage celebrants.
