How Foreigners Can Legally Marry in New Zealand (2026 Guide) | Nomad Weddings NZ
Alpine elopement ceremony above Queenstown, New Zealand — Nomad Weddings NZ
Legal Marriage Guide · New Zealand · 2026

Marry Here.
Anywhere You Choose.

No embassy visits. No translated documents. No government office queues. New Zealand is the most elopement-friendly legal jurisdiction on earth — and this is the complete guide to how it works.

Nomad Weddings NZUpdated April 20267 min read
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Foreigners can legally marry in New Zealand without residency, embassy appointments, or translated documents. The government fee is NZD $150, the application is entirely online, and the ceremony can take place anywhere in the country — including on a mountain summit accessible only by helicopter.

According to the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, any couple can marry in New Zealand regardless of nationality or residency. In most other countries, getting legally married requires a government office visit, a stack of translated documents, and at least one embassy appointment. New Zealand is not like those countries.

Here, the entire legal process takes about ten minutes online, costs less than two hundred dollars, and the ceremony can happen anywhere — from a lakeside jetty to the summit of a mountain accessible only by helicopter.

This is not a loophole. It is simply how New Zealand marriage law works. The Marriage Act is designed to get out of your way. A registered celebrant, two witnesses, a licence applied for in advance — and you are legally married wherever you choose to be.

The Legal Essentials at a Glance
  • Residency: None required. Tourist visa is sufficient.
  • Application: Mostly online via New Zealand DIA. Overseas couples complete an additional statutory declaration (BDM Form 58).
  • Processing: Typically within 3 working days.
  • Validity: Licence valid for 3 months.
  • Location: Any location in New Zealand — mountain, glacier, lakeside, private land.
  • Celebrant: Registered celebrant required by law.
  • Witnesses: Two witnesses required, aged 18 or over.
  • Government Fee: NZD $150 (plus $33 for certificate).
  • Recognition: Internationally valid. Apostille available via NZ DIA.
  • Same-sex marriage: Legal and fully recognised since 2013.
Who Can Marry

Eligibility
Requirements

The requirements are the same for locals and overseas visitors. Both partners must satisfy the following before applying for a licence.

Age
Both partners must be at least 18 years old. If either is 16 or 17, Family Court approval is required. Under 16 is not permitted.
Marital Status
Both must be legally single. If previously married, a dissolution order is required. A death certificate is accepted for a deceased former spouse.
Relationship
You cannot marry a close relative by birth, marriage, civil union, or adoption. The full list is set out on the marriage licence form. Cousins are permitted under NZ law.
Nationality and Residency
No residency or citizenship required. Any couple can marry here on a tourist visa. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013, fully recognised.
Heli-wedding elopement at Lake Lochnagar, Queenstown New Zealand — Nomad Weddings NZ
Lake Lochnagar, Queenstown · Nomad Weddings NZ
The Paperwork

The Marriage
Licence

One partner applies online through the Department of Internal Affairs. Ten minutes. Issued within 3 working days. Valid for 3 months. That is the entirety of the paperwork.

1
Complete the Online Application
Apply at marriages.services.govt.nz (New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs). You need both partners’ names, dates of birth, the celebrant’s name, and the ceremony date and location. Couples both ordinarily resident outside New Zealand complete BDM Form 58 rather than the standard online form. The statutory declaration section must be witnessed by a Commonwealth Representative (such as a NZ consulate or High Commission) before being posted to the BDM office in Wellington. If you are travelling to New Zealand for the ceremony, you can also sign the declaration at a local BDM office on arrival.
The location does not need an exact address. “Coromandel Peak, Wanaka” is sufficient. New Zealand permits the ceremony at any location specified on the licence.
2
Pay the Licence Fee
The licence costs NZD $150 for a celebrant-led ceremony, paid online at application. Add the official marriage certificate for NZD $33 at the same step — easier to do now than order separately later.
3
Receive and Print Your Licence
The licence arrives by email as a PDF within 3 working days. Print it and give it to your celebrant before the ceremony. Apply no earlier than 3 months out, no later than 3 working days before.
If your ceremony date changes after applying, you will need to reapply.
Required by Law

The Celebrant
Requirement

New Zealand law requires a registered marriage celebrant to perform the ceremony. No exceptions. The celebrant verifies the licence, delivers the ceremony with the required legal wording, and lodges the signed documents with Births, Deaths and Marriages afterwards.

Every Nomad Weddings NZ elopement package includes a registered celebrant. We work with a trusted network across Queenstown and the wider South Island who write ceremonies that feel specific to the couple, not generic to the setting.

What the Celebrant Handles
  • Verifying the licence before the ceremony
  • Writing a personalised ceremony
  • Conducting the required legal wording
  • Signing the licence at the ceremony
  • Lodging all paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages
  • Included in every Nomad Weddings NZ package
Often Asked About

The Witnesses
Requirement

Two witnesses. Sorted for you.

Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage licence alongside the couple and celebrant. Both witnesses must be 18 or older. There are no nationality or residency restrictions. When you book with Nomad Weddings NZ, witnesses are never your problem to arrange.

Our team handles it as part of every package:

  • Helicopter elopements: heli pilot and photographer sign as legal witnesses
  • Ground elopements: photographer and planner act as witnesses
  • Signing at the summit when conditions allow
  • If winds are up: signed at the hangar behind Queenstown Airport, away from the terminal
The Full Process

How It Works,
Step by Step

1
Confirm Both Partners Are Eligible
Check the age and marital status requirements above. If either partner has been divorced, locate the dissolution order now — needed when completing the licence application.
2
Book Your Package and Celebrant
You need the celebrant’s name for the licence application, so book before applying. If you book a Nomad Weddings NZ package, we provide all the details including the correct location name for the licence form.
3
Apply for the Marriage Licence
Complete the application at marriages.services.govt.nz. Around 10 minutes. Licence issued within 3 working days. Apply at least 3 working days before the ceremony, no more than 3 months out.
4
Print the Licence and Give It to Your Celebrant
A physical printed copy is required on the day. Forward the PDF to your celebrant and confirm they have checked the details before the ceremony.
5
Ceremony Day
The celebrant conducts the ceremony including the required legal wording. The couple, celebrant, and two witnesses all sign the marriage licence. At the moment of signing, you are legally married in New Zealand.
6
Celebrant Lodges the Paperwork
Your celebrant sends the signed documents to Births, Deaths and Marriages. The marriage is officially registered within days. If you ordered a certificate at the application stage, it is posted to you automatically.
7
Apostille or Authentication if Required
For most international couples the NZ certificate is accepted at home directly. Some countries require an additional step — see the International Recognition section below.
How Long It Takes

A Realistic
Timeline

The NZ process requires almost no lead time compared to most countries. The only hard constraint is the 3 working day minimum for the licence. Everything else is planning your experience, not chasing paperwork.

3 months out
Book your package, celebrant, and helicopter. Most heli elopements in Queenstown book 6–12 months ahead. Peak summer and autumn dates (November–April) fill first. The earliest you can apply for the licence.
2–4 weeks out
Apply for the marriage licence online. Takes about 10 minutes. Issued within 3 working days. Forward the PDF to your celebrant.
Before ceremony
Confirm your celebrant has the printed licence. Confirm weather contingency for helicopter ceremonies with your Nomad Weddings planner.
Ceremony day
Get married. Celebrant conducts the ceremony. Everyone signs. Legally married at the moment the licence is signed.
Days after
Celebrant lodges the paperwork. Marriage registered. Certificate posted if ordered in advance.
What You Pay

The Legal
Costs

The government fees to legally marry in New Zealand are genuinely modest. The celebrant’s fee is separate and varies — and is included in every Nomad Weddings NZ package.

ItemCost (NZD)Notes
Marriage Licence (celebrant ceremony)$150Paid online at application. One licence per couple.
Official Marriage Certificate$33Ordered at application stage. Posted after registration.
Apostille (if required)VariesApplied through the NZ Department of Internal Affairs.
Celebrant FeeIncludedIncluded in all Nomad Weddings NZ packages. Not a separate cost for our couples.
Total Government FeesFrom $183The legal cost of marrying in New Zealand. The ceremony and experience is the investment.
Two Options

Celebrant Ceremony
vs. Registry Office

New Zealand offers two ways to legally marry. The legal outcome is identical. The experience is not remotely the same.

“New Zealand law says you can legally marry anywhere. So the question worth asking is: why would you choose a concrete office building when the most extraordinary scenery in the world is just outside?”

James · Nomad Weddings NZ
The Nomad Weddings Approach
Registered Celebrant Ceremony
  • Any location in New Zealand — mountain, glacier, lakeside, private land
  • Any day, any time
  • Write your own vows, or work with the celebrant on something personal
  • Unlimited guests, or just the two of you
  • Celebrant handles all paperwork and lodgement
  • A ceremony designed around who you actually are
  • Licence cost: NZD $150
The Alternative
Registry Office Ceremony
  • Registry venue — not your choice
  • Weekday business hours only
  • Standard scripted vows only
  • Maximum 20 guests
  • Ceremony capped at 30 minutes
  • No creative control over the ceremony
  • Licence cost: NZD $240 (includes ceremony)
Elopement ceremony at Lake Erskine, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Lake Erskine, Fiordland National Park · Nomad Weddings NZ
Taking It Home

International
Recognition

A New Zealand marriage certificate is recognised internationally. For most couples, it is accepted at home without any additional steps. Some countries require a small extra process.

Apostille
Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention — the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most of Europe — accept a New Zealand apostille. Applied through the NZ Department of Internal Affairs.
Full Authentication
Some countries outside the Hague Convention — including China, Indonesia, and the UAE — require full authentication. The NZ Department of Internal Affairs handles this process.
No Extra Steps
Many countries accept the NZ marriage certificate directly with no apostille required. Check with your home country’s government authority before your ceremony if unsure.
Our Guidance
When you book with Nomad Weddings NZ, we walk you through the international recognition process for your specific nationality so there are no surprises after you get home.
Where to Do It

Why Queenstown
is Where Most
Couples Choose

New Zealand law gives you the freedom to marry anywhere in the country. Queenstown gives you the most extraordinary anywhere in the world. Mountains that drop straight into glacier-fed lakes. Remote valleys that see no foot traffic. Summit landings where you can see three mountain ranges at once. Our helicopter partners — Over The Top and HeliWorks in Queenstown, and Wanaka Helicopters, Alpine Helicopters, and Aspiring Helicopters in Wanaka — operate across the full range of alpine locations.

Elopement ceremony on Coromandel Peak above Lake Wanaka
Helicopter · Permit required
Coromandel Peak
The privately owned summit of Mount Roy above Lake Wanaka. Views across the Southern Alps and toward Mount Aspiring. The most photographed wedding location in New Zealand.
Earnslaw Burn waterfall elopement, Glenorchy Queenstown
Helicopter · Glenorchy
Earnslaw Burn
A remote valley near Glenorchy with cascading waterfalls and hanging glaciers. Dramatic without the exposed ridge feel of a summit ceremony.
Lake Erskine glacial lake heli elopement, Fiordland
Helicopter · Fiordland
Lake Erskine
A glacial lake at 1390m in Fiordland National Park. Pale blue in summer, frozen in winter. One of the most otherworldly ceremony settings we use.
Sunset elopement ceremony at Deer Park Heights, Queenstown
Road access · No helicopter required
Deer Park Heights
A private station above Queenstown with panoramic views across Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. The best ground-level option for elevation without the flight.
Glacier heli-wedding ceremony near Queenstown
Helicopter · Weather dependent
Glaciers
Snow landings in summer. The Tyndall and Jura glaciers above Glenorchy are the most accessible. We coordinate every weather window with our helicopter partners.
Elopement ceremony on The Remarkables above Queenstown
Helicopter · Queenstown
The Remarkables
The highest helicopter landing we offer above Queenstown. Rugged, completely exposed to the sky. Views across the entire Wakatipu basin with nothing between you and the horizon.
FAQs

Your Questions
Answered

Yes. No residency or citizenship is required. Any couple can marry in New Zealand on a tourist visa. The legal process is the same for overseas visitors as it is for residents. You apply for the licence online, book a registered celebrant, and the ceremony can take place anywhere in New Zealand specified on the licence.
A valid passport for both partners and a New Zealand marriage licence applied for through the Department of Internal Affairs. If either partner has been previously married, a dissolution order is also required. No embassy affidavits, no certified translations, and no government office visits are required.
Yes. New Zealand law allows couples to legally marry at any location listed on their marriage licence, including mountain summits, glacier landings, remote valleys, and lakesides. The ceremony location is simply specified on the online application. Most countries restrict legal ceremonies to registered venues. New Zealand does not.
The licence is issued within 3 working days of application and arrives by email as a PDF. The application takes around 10 minutes online. The licence is valid for 3 months, so apply no earlier than 3 months before the ceremony and no later than 3 working days before.
Not with Nomad Weddings NZ. We arrange witnesses as part of every package. For helicopter elopements, the heli pilot and photographer sign as legal witnesses. For ground ceremonies, the photographer and planner sign. If guests would like to witness, they are welcome to.
New Zealand marriage certificates are recognised internationally. Couples from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most European countries may need an apostille. Some other countries require full authentication. We advise every couple on the steps that apply to their specific nationality when they book.
No special visa is required. A standard tourist visa or visa waiver is sufficient to marry in New Zealand. Citizens of countries that have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand — including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most of Europe — can enter and marry without applying for any additional permit. Check current visa waiver eligibility at immigration.govt.nz if unsure.
Yes. Every Nomad Weddings NZ elopement package includes a registered marriage celebrant. The celebrant fee is not a separate cost. View our Queenstown elopement packages to see what is included in full.

Explore more from Nomad Weddings NZ:

Queenstown Elopement Packages — helicopter and ground ceremonies, all inclusive The Best of New Zealand Package — four heli landings across Earnslaw Burn, Lake Erskine, Tyndall Glacier, and Coromandel Peak Pre-Wedding Shoot Packages — photography across Queenstown and the South Island

The information in this guide is provided as a general reference and is updated periodically. Marriage licence requirements in New Zealand are set by the Department of Internal Affairs and are subject to change. Always confirm current requirements at marriages.services.govt.nz (New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs) before applying. This guide does not constitute legal advice. Last verified with NZ Department of Internal Affairs: April 2026.

Nomad Weddings NZ

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Legally married in New Zealand, on a mountain, a glacier, or a lakeside — with a registered celebrant, your witnesses, and every piece of paperwork handled.

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