Jeff Montgomery,
General Manager and Registrar-General;
Services and Access
Message from the
Registrar-General
Tēnā koe – hello.
Our main focus during this time is keeping our people, customers and the wider community healthy.
Please continue to follow the advice from the government and Ministry of Health:
- Information about COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health
- Government advice about COVID-19 on Govt.nz
Kia pai tō rā (Have a good day)
Jeff
COVID-19 - Advice for public events and mass gatherings
The Ministry of Health provides advice for people planning, working at or attending public events or mass gatherings where many people are together in one place, at one time for a set period.
Less than 100 people at indoor events
On Monday the Prime Minister announced gatherings and events of 500 or more people outside should be cancelled.
On 19 March that advice was extended to gatherings of 100 people indoors.
For more information refer to www.beehive.govt.nz/release/action-indoor-gatherings-and-events-protect-public-health
Couples travelling to get married in NZ
Temporary border closure
Celebrant's need to make sure that any couple planning to travel to NZ to get married are aware that most foreign travellers can no longer enter New Zealand.
Returning residents and citizens must isolate themselves upon arrival.
For more information visit www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/coronavirus-update-inz-response
Self-isolation
For information about self-isolation visit www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-health-advice-general-public/covid-19-self-isolation
Marriage licence refunds
Marriage licences are valid until the date of expiry, that being 3 months from the date of issue. If couples want to postpone their wedding as a result of the pandemic, there are options:
- Delay having the marriage, but not later than when the marriage licence expires. This in the hope that the situation has improved within 3 months.
- If the couple plan to get married after their licence expires, they can apply for a refund now. If approved, the refund will include the licence fee and the marriage certificate, if ordered. When the couple are ready to get married they can apply for a new licence at https://marriages.services.govt.nz.
Couples can request a refund by emailing bdm.nz@dia.govt.nz with the subject heading "Request for marriage licence refund".
In the body of the email include:
- Reason for refund e.g. unable to enter the country.
- Both partners’ full names and contact details (e.g., email, phone number etc.)
Refunds currently take about 4 weeks to process.
Registry marriage celebrants are across NZ
We were planning to fully hand over the work of performing registry marriages to validated CANZ members later this year, but as a result of the pandemic, we have accelerated those plans and done that now.
Validated CANZ members can now perform registry ceremonies across NZ, including Auckland, Manukau and Christchurch. Registry celebrants have been performing registry ceremonies in Wellington since February.
For more information refer to September's Ngātahi newsletter.
Wellington office is appointment-only
Our Wellington public counter recently moved location and is now by appointment-only. If customers need to come and see us, they can make an appointment only if they are currently well.
One of the couple will need to visit a public counter to sign a paper form before a Registrar if they want to enter into a civil union, change between a civil union and a marriage or are 16 or 17 years old. Appointments can be booked online to see one of our counter teams in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington, or Christchurch.
Couples can apply online at any time for a marriage licence at https://marriages.services.govt.nz
2021 Celebrant Renewal
The Covid-19 pandemic will have an impact on the number of marriages celebrants perform this year. Please be rest assured that we will be mindful of that during the renewal later this year.
2020 CANZ Conference cancelled
The CANZ National Executive met and after deep consideration, and with real regret decided that it is untenable to proceed with this year’s national conference in Wellington as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you require more information contact www.celebrantsassociation.co.nz/contact-us/
