You may have seen pictures of New Zealand and felt an urge to get married here or maybe you visited and were stunned by the gorgeous scenery and thought this will be the place you want to commit to each other. There are so many options for elopements in New Zealand no wonder it is a dream of yours.

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You may be wondering “Ok so how do I actually elope in New Zealand? Would it even be legal? How do I go about organizing this… “ and this is where I come in as your Elopement photographer and guide. Below are some of the more common questions that people ask when they tell me they are considering eloping in New Zealand but don’t know where to start.

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Can you legally get married in New Zealand if you are not a citizen?

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Yes, you do not need to be a New Zealand citizen. Visitors to New Zealand can marry or have a civil union here. Here are a few steps you have to follow:

1. Apply online for a marriage license. The marriage license costs $150.
2. Organize a celebrant. Marriages in NZ need an officiant/celebrant. They will have their own fees on top of the license.
3. Once you apply for your marriage license, you will be sent the license and 2 copies of the “Copy of Particulars of Marriage” , the form outlining all the details of those applying. Give all three of these documents to your celebrant before your wedding. *Tip: Put a backup venue location in your application. You can only have the ceremony in the places you’ve put on the application.
4. Get married!

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Is Same-sex marriage legal in New Zealand?

Hell yeah it is! Same-sex marriages are legal in New Zealand. Your love is beautiful and should be celebrated and New Zealand agrees.

How do I find a celebrant?

There are lists on the national page for celebrants that you can find here. One of the perks of working with me is I have a great list of fantastic local celebrants that I can recommend!

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How far in advance should I start the license application?

Once you have your location picked out, you can start the application process. You will want to arrange the license at least 3 working days before your wedding and the license is valid for up to 3 months. It is easy to fill out the application form just go to this link on the New Zealand Government website here.

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What you need to know for the application?

You will need details about yourself, your partner and each other’s parent details.

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Do I need witnesses to get married in New Zealand?

You will need two official witnesses to your elopement in New Zealand. Good news, I can be one of them! We can make a plan for who you want to be as your witnesses, whether it’s your friends or family or even the helicopter pilot!

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How do I get a marriage certificate once we elope?

You can order your marriage certificate online here after your elopement ceremony. It costs $33 dollars as of November 2024 and they will mail it to the address you provide. It should take about 2 weeks to arrive.

What if I don’t want to do the paperwork in New Zealand?

If you don’t want to do the paperwork here or prefer to not have a celebrant, we can plan a beautiful elopement with all the adventures and photos to capture your day. You can be legally married before or after your trip to New Zealand by doing the paperwork in your home state/country. Whatever date you sign the paperwork this will be your official wedding date per the law.

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Do you want to start planning our New Zealand elopement but not sure where to start? I am here for you!

As your New Zealand Elopement photographer, I can help you find the right spot to elope, suggest an amazing celebrant to get you married, and all the rest of the details.  Fill out my contact form here and let’s get started making your dreams come true!

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