Births, deaths, marriages and civil unions
The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for registering births, deaths, marriages, civil unions and name changes in New Zealand.
Weddings and civil unions
The legal age of marriage in New Zealand is 16 years. If one or both partners are under the age of 20 and have not been married before, then parental consent to marry is required. New Zealand weddings are generally less formal than in other western countries, but not always. If you are unsure what to expect, do not be afraid to ask.
A relationship may also be solemnised as a civil union and officially registered in New Zealand. A civil union may be entered into by couples of the same or different sexes.
Divorce
Divorce in New Zealand is simple. Couples can separate immediately and a divorce is granted automatically after they have lived apart for two years. Dissolution of the marriage is granted on the basis of irreconcilable differences and these grounds cover all reasons for ending a marriage. All matrimonial property is generally divided equally between the partners if they are divorcing after three years of marriage. This also applies to same-sex and de facto relationships. For shorter marriages, the equal sharing rules may be modified.
Making a will
Anyone aged 18 years and over can make a will either through the Public Trust Office, which provides a simple and low cost service, or a private lawyer. Find out more at www.publictrust.co.nz
Funerals
New migrants are often startled by the informality of some New Zealand funerals. Personalised funerals designed in line with family wishes, and which follow no particular liturgy, have become increasingly popular. Solemnity and grieving is often combined with ‘celebrating the life’ of the deceased, and lighter moments are now a feature of most funerals. Formal dress is not obligatory and semi-formal dress increasingly common. An important exception to this pattern is the tangi, the traditional Maori funeral, at which marae protocol is strictly observed.
Registering a death, marriage, civil union or name change
A death, marriage, civil union or name change certificate is an official document containing registered information about a person's death, marriage, civil union or name change. You may obtain a certificate by providing the required details and paying the certificate fee.
Certificates can be used for purposes such as:
- getting a driver's licence
- enrolling at school
- applying for welfare benefits
- winding up / administering estates.
To apply for a certificate, phone 0800 22 77 77, or if you are outside New Zealand +64 4 474 8150. You will need a accepted credit card to pay for your certificate over the phone.
Registering a birth
By law, both parents of a child born in New Zealand must jointly notify Births, Deaths and Marriages generally within two months of the birth. Once registered and on payment of the fee, a birth certificate is available. Birth registration is free.
You will receive a 'Notification of Birth for Registration' form shortly after the birth. If you have not received a form directly after the birth of your child, or you have any difficulty completing the form you have been given, contact Births, Deaths and Marriages. When you have completed the form, please return it to:
Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 31203
Lower Hutt 5040
New Zealand
