Need a certified true copy of your marriage certificate?

Don’t worry, this guide is designed to streamline the experience, offering a step-by-step approach to help you navigate with ease. From initial inquiries to the final acquisition, we’re here to assist you in successfully obtaining this essential document.

How to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand

To get a certified true copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand, you need to submit a request to the Births, Deaths, and Marriages division of the Department of Internal Affairs along with your identity details. This can be done online, by post, in person, or by phone. 

For guidance on choosing the most suitable method to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate based on your situation, please refer to the step-by-step guide we have prepared for you.

How to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand online

If you prefer the convenience of online service, obtaining a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand is as simple as visiting the website of the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs and filling out the required form.

We’ll walk you through the process below:

Difficulty	Easy ●○○○○
Number of steps	4
Time to perform steps	A few hours to several weeks, depending on processing times and delivery methods
Things you need	Computer or phone with internet access Identification documents (passport, driver’s license, etc.) Contact information (address, email) Payment method (credit card, etc.)

STEP 1: Access the ‘Order a marriage certificate online’ portal.

Getting a certified copy of a marriage certificate online is a simple process. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Department of Internal Affairs Website: Begin by going to the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website. Once you’re on the homepage, scroll down and locate the “Family and whānau” tab. Click on it.

2. Select ‘Getting Married’: In the dropdown menu that appears, find and click on ‘Getting Married.’ This will take you to a page with marriage-related services.

3. Choose ‘Order a Marriage Certificate’: On the ‘Getting Married’ page, look for the option labeled ‘Order a marriage certificate.’ Click on it to proceed.

4. Explore Information: You’ll now see details about ordering a marriage certificate, including costs, delivery times, certificate contents, and purposes. Take a moment to review this information.

5. Access the Online Portal: Inside the ‘Order a marriage certificate’ section, find the link that says ‘Order a marriage certificate online.’ Click on this link to access the online portal.

STEP 2: Provide the required details of the certificate.

Once you’ve accessed the online portal and selected ‘Marriage Certificate’ as the certificate type, you’ll need to provide the necessary details to initiate the request process. Follow these steps to enter the required information:

1. Select the Marriage Location: If the marriage took place overseas, you’ll need to order your certificate from the country where the marriage occurred. However, since this marriage occurred in New Zealand, you can proceed with entering the details for a New Zealand marriage certificate.

2. Enter the Date of the Marriage: Input the exact date of the marriage in the provided fields. Specify the day, month, and year by using the format DD-MM-YYYY.

3. Provide the Place of the Marriage (Optional): If you wish, you can include the location where the marriage took place, such as the city or town.

4. Confirm Your Relationship to the Marriage: Indicate your relationship to the marriage by selecting the appropriate option. In this case, since you’re requesting your own marriage certificate, choose the option that states, “This is my marriage.”

5. Details of the People Who Got Married:

• Person 1: First and Middle Names Before the Marriage: Enter the first and middle names of the first individual as they were before the marriage.

• Person 1: Surname or Family Names Before the Marriage: Enter the surname or family names of the first individual before the marriage.

• Person 2: First and Middle Names Before the Marriage: Enter the first and middle names of the second individual as they were before the marriage.

• Person 2: Surname or Family Names Before the Marriage: Enter the surname or family names of the second individual before the marriage.

6. Specify Quantity and Review Cost: Indicate the quantity of marriage certificates you      require (usually 1) and review the associated cost. Review all the details you provided and click on ‘Next’ to proceed further.

7. Provide Basic Information about Yourself: This next page is all about your basic information as the person ordering the certificate. This is how it goes:

• Your First and Middle Names: Enter your first and middle names exactly as they appear.

• Your Surname or Family Names: Enter your surname or family names.

• Your Date of Birth: Input your date of birth using the format DD-MM-YYYY.

• Select an Identity Confirmation Statement: Choose the statement that best applies to you to confirm your identity. Options include being born in New Zealand, getting married or having a civil union in New Zealand, having a child born in New Zealand, or none of the above.

• Your Partner’s Details Before Marriage or Civil Union: Input your partner’s first and middle names, their surname or family name before marriage or civil union, and the date of the marriage or civil union.

• Place of the Marriage or Civil Union (Optional): If applicable, enter the location of the marriage or civil union, such as the city or town.

After providing the required details, do a quick review and then click on ‘Next’.

8. Enter Delivery and Contact Details: For a smooth delivery of the marriage certificate, you also need to provide your contact details. Here’s what you need to provide:

• Name for Delivery: Provide the name you want the certificate to be delivered to.
• Address: Enter your delivery address, including unit/house number, street, suburb, town or city, postcode, and country.
• Email Address: Input your email address for communication purposes.
• Contact Phone Number: Optionally, provide your contact phone number.
• Preferred Delivery Method: Choose how you want your certificate to be posted.

After completing this, click ‘Next’ to review all the information you’ve entered. If everything looks accurate, you can proceed to the payment section (online payment) to finalize your request.

STEP 3: Submit your order.

After successfully completing the payment process, the next thing to do is submit your order for processing. This is the point where you provide your final confirmation to initiate the issuance of a copy of your marriage certificate.

To submit your order, simply click on the “Submit Order” button provided on the screen. 

Following your submission, you may receive an order confirmation or a reference number. Make sure to keep this information handy, as it may be required for any future communication or inquiries regarding your order.

STEP 4: Obtain the certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Once your order is processed, your certified marriage certificate will be mailed to you within approximately 20 working days. The delivery method depends on your choice during the request – it can be sent by standard postal mail or courier, according to your preference.

Expect the document to arrive at the address you provided. If you selected courier delivery, you may receive tracking information for added convenience. Upon receiving the certificate, review it for accuracy and proceed with using it for the specific purpose for which you originally requested it.

How to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand by post

You can also obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand by using the paper request form and submitting it by post.

We’ll guide you through the steps in the following section:

Difficulty	Easy ●○○○○
Number of steps	4
Time to perform steps	Few hours to several weeks, depending on processing and delivery times.
Things you need	Computer or mobile device with internet access. Printer (optional, for printing the form). Pen or electronic device for filling out the form. Identification documents (passport, driver’s license, etc.). Photocopy of proof of identity. Payment card details.

STEP 1: Access the request form.

First things first, you need to access the request form. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Visit the Department of Internal Affairs Website: Start by going to the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website. When you’re on the homepage, scroll down and locate the “Family and whānau” tab. Click on it.

2. Select ‘Getting Married’: From the dropdown menu, choose ‘Getting Married.’ This will take you to a page dedicated to marriage-related services.

3. Choose ‘Order a Marriage Certificate’: On the ‘Getting Married’ page, find the option labeled ‘Order a marriage certificate.’ Click on this option to proceed.

4. Access the Request Form: Inside the ‘Order a marriage certificate’ page, look for the ‘Order by post using the paper application form’ section. You’ll find a link to download the PDF format of the form. Click the link to initiate the download.

STEP 2: Complete the form.

Now that you have the form, it’s time to fill it out with the required details. The form’s content is the same as the online request form; however, this version is in PDF format and can be printed once you’ve completed it.

You have the choice to either print the form and fill it out manually or complete it electronically. Regardless of your method, ensure that you provide accurate details.

Don’t forget to choose the best delivery method for your needs, whether you prefer:

• standard post
• email delivery
• or courier delivery to a New Zealand address

Include your card details on the last page of the form to finalize the payment.

STEP 3: Submit the form by post.

After completing the form, the next step is to submit it by post. But before you do, here’s a quick checklist to review:

1. Proofreading and Payment: Double-check all the information you’ve provided on the form, including your payment card details.

2. Proof of Identity: Include a photocopy of one of the accepted identity documents listed below. This will help ensure the smooth processing of your request:

• Passport (NZ or overseas)
• Driver Licence (NZ or overseas)
• 18+ Card (issued by Hospitality NZ)
• NZ Firearms or Dealer’s Licence
• Salvation Army identity certification
• NZ Refugee Travel Document
• NZ Emergency Travel Document
• NZ Certificate of Identity (Issued by Immigration NZ)
• NZ Certificate of Identity (Issued under the Passport Act 1992)
• Steps to Freedom document (issued by Department of Corrections)
• Kiwi Access Card (issued by Hospitality NZ)

Once you’ve confirmed everything on the checklist, you’re ready to submit the form. Post the completed form to: 

Births, Deaths and Marriages

PO Box 10526

Wellington 6143

New Zealand

STEP 4: Obtain the certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Once you’ve submitted your request, it will be processed, and your certified marriage certificate copy will be prepared. Depending on the delivery method you selected (standard post or courier), the certificate will be dispatched to your designated address or through email if you opted for it in the request form.

How to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand in person

You need to visit one of the Department of Internal Affairs customer service centers in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington, or Christchurch if you want to personally obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand.

However, you can’t simply walk in and request it; you need to follow specific steps to be assisted at their public counters. Here’s how to proceed:

Difficulty	Easy ●○○○○
Number of steps	3
Time to perform steps	Few hours to a day, depending on appointment availability.
Things you need	Access to phone or internet to book the appointment. Appointment details (date, time, location). Necessary identification documents (driver’s license, passport, etc.). Information about the marriage (full names of couple, date of marriage).

STEP 1: Book an appointment.

Your initial task is to secure an appointment. Each of the Births, Deaths and Marriages’ public counters across New Zealand has its own appointment booking process. No need to fret – the table below is a guide for you on how to successfully schedule your appointment.

Location	Address	Phone
Auckland	Carlaw Park12–14 Nicholls Lane Parnell Auckland 1010	+64 9 339 0852	Book an appointment
Manukau	Level 5, 5 Osterley Way Manukau City Centre Auckland 2104	+64 4 462 0651	Book an appointment
Wellington	Level 2, 7 Waterloo Quay Pipitea Wellington 6011	+64 9 339 0852	Book an appointment
Christchurch	Level 1, BNZ Centre120 Hereford Street Christchurch 8011	+64 9 339 0852	Book an appointment

STEP 2: Visit your designated DIA’s customer service center.

Once you have successfully scheduled your appointment using the table provided above, it’s time to visit the designated Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) customer service center on the confirmed day and time. 

Make sure to bring all necessary documents as requested during the appointment booking process. Typically, you will be required to provide:

• The full names of the couple who were married.
• The date of the marriage.
• Proof of your identity, such as a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued identification.

If you opt to bring a third party to assist with the application, please note that they must provide their own valid proof of identity as well. This additional individual can be of great help in facilitating the process.

STEP 3: Obtain the certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Once you arrive at the customer service center on the day of your scheduled appointment, you will need to go to the counter and tell the staff member that you are there to order a certified copy of a marriage certificate. 

They will ask you for the information that you have already brought with you. The staff member will then check the records to see if the marriage certificate is available. 

If it is, they will issue you a certified copy of the certificate. The certificate will be stamped and signed by a Births, Deaths and Marriages officer.

How to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in New Zealand by phone

To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate by phone, you need to call the Births, Deaths and Marriages contact center using their available contact number.

To learn more about how to proceed with this method, refer to the quick guide below.

Difficulty	Easy ●○○○○
Number of steps	4
Time to perform steps	Few minutes to hours, depending on call duration and availability.
Things you need	Access to a phone (landline or mobile). Necessary information about the marriage (full names of couple, date of marriage). Proof of your identity (driver’s license, passport, etc.). Your contact information (mailing address, email address).

STEP 1: Call the Births, Deaths and Marriages phone number.

Your starting point is to reach out through the following contact details:

Freephone (NZ only): 0800 22 52 52

Phone from other countries: +64 9 339 0852

The BDM contact center is available for calls from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm.

STEP 2: Provide the required information. 

When communicating with the customer service representative, be sure to mention your need to order a certified copy of a marriage certificate. Provide them with the following crucial information:

• Full names of the couple who were married
• Date of the marriage
• Proof of your identity as the person ordering the certificate
• Your contact information, including your mailing address and email address

Ensure accuracy in sharing these details to facilitate a smooth process.

STEP 3: Await order processing.

Once you’ve provided the necessary information, the customer service representative will verify the records to confirm the availability of the requested marriage certificate. You can expect two possible outcomes:

• If the certificate is available, your order will be processed, and you’ll need to proceed with the payment. After payment is successfully made, you will receive a confirmation number for your order.

• If the requested certificate is not immediately available for some reason, the representative will inform you of the situation. In such cases, you will be advised to order the certificate by mail or through the online process.

STEP 4: Obtain the certified copy of the marriage certificate.

If your requested certified copy of the marriage certificate is immediately available, the customer service representative will notify you of the successful request and inform you that the certificate will be mailed to you within 20 working days.

Once everything’s set, keep an eye on your inbox—they’ll shoot you an email with the tracking number for your order. And no worries, you can easily follow your order on the Births, Deaths and Marriages website using that tracking number.