Eloping in New Zealand
Legal Requirements to Marry in New Zealand
The legal side, made simple — licence, witnesses, visas and recognition back home.
Marrying in New Zealand
The legal side of marrying in New Zealand is refreshingly simple, and I take care of it for you. Here’s what’s involved.
The marriage licence
Every marriage in New Zealand needs a marriage licence. It costs NZ$158 (as of 18 June 2026), and you must apply at least 3 working days before your wedding. The application is done online through Births, Deaths and Marriages and takes about ten minutes — I guide you through it. Your licence arrives by email as a PDF and is valid for three months, so there’s a generous window around your date. If you were to marry at a Registry Office there’s an added fee of NZ$175 — but most of my couples marry somewhere far more beautiful.
Who can marry
You must both be 18 or older (16 and 17-year-olds need consent). If either of you has been married before, you’ll need proof the previous marriage has ended — a divorce or dissolution order, or a death certificate. Your ceremony must be performed by a registered New Zealand celebrant, and I arrange a wonderful one for you as part of your package.
Witnesses
You need two witnesses, aged 18 or over. If you’re eloping just the two of you, don’t worry — witnesses are provided at no extra cost. Once the marriage documents are signed at your ceremony, you are legally married — your celebrant then lodges the paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages for you.
Visas
If you’re travelling from overseas, no special visa is required — an NZeTA (a quick online visa waiver, usually processed within about 72 hours) covers citizens of visa-waiver countries including the US, UK, Canada and Australia; others use a standard Visitor Visa. You simply arrive as a visitor — there’s no “wedding visa”. For anything visa-specific, Immigration New Zealand (immigration.govt.nz) is the right place to ask.
Your marriage certificate, and recognition back home
A marriage legally performed in New Zealand is recognised in most countries. After the wedding I arrange your official marriage certificate — as a PDF (the fastest option) or printed and posted anywhere in the world. If you live in New Zealand, the certificate can even be pre-purchased with your licence so it’s issued automatically.
If your home country needs the marriage formally legalised, there are two paths: an apostille (for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention) or a two-step authentication (for countries outside it). Both are issued by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, and I take care of the application for you — the documents are couriered to you directly from the government department.
None of this is anything to worry about — it’s my job to make it effortless. Get in touch and I’ll walk you through it.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners get married in New Zealand?
Yes. There is no residency or citizenship requirement to marry in New Zealand. Visitors from most countries can travel on a visa waiver (an NZeTA), arrange a marriage licence, and marry here just as a New Zealander would.
How much does a New Zealand marriage licence cost?
A standard marriage licence costs NZ$158 (as of 18 June 2026). If you choose to marry at a Registry Office there is an additional fee of NZ$175. I arrange the licence for you as part of your planning.
How far in advance do we need the marriage licence?
You must apply for your marriage licence at least 3 working days before your wedding day. In practice we apply earlier than that for peace of mind. Once issued, the licence is valid for 3 months, and it arrives by email as a PDF.
How old do you have to be to marry in New Zealand?
You must be 18 or older to marry in New Zealand. Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds can marry only with consent. If either of you has been married before, you'll need to show proof that the previous marriage has ended — a divorce or dissolution order, or a death certificate.
How many witnesses do you need to get married in New Zealand?
You need two witnesses aged 18 or over. If you're eloping just the two of you, that's no problem at all — your celebrant, photographer or I can act as your witnesses.
Do you need a visa to get married in New Zealand?
Most visitors do not need a visa — an NZeTA (a simple online visa waiver) is enough for citizens of visa-waiver countries such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You marry on a standard visitor entry; there's no special "wedding visa" required.
Is a New Zealand marriage legally recognised in the US, UK, Australia or Canada?
Yes. A marriage legally performed in New Zealand is recognised in most countries, including the US, UK, Australia and Canada. Some couples request an official marriage certificate (and occasionally an apostille) to register or prove the marriage at home — I'll explain exactly what you need for your country.
With love, from New Zealand
Let’s plan your New Zealand wedding
Tell me your story and what you have in mind. I’ll personally guide you every step of the way — the same as I have for couples from around the world since 1999.
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