Organisational celebrant renewal starts on Monday
This reminder repeats the information provided in the 23 September issue of Ngātahi.
The renewal of organisational celebrants for 2021 starts next week on Monday 2 November until midnight Sunday 29 November. Your central contact will do your renewal for you. Ask your colleagues if you are not sure if you have a central contact.
If any celebrants are not renewed
If any celebrants are not renewed between those dates, they will be removed as a celebrant and will not be able to marry couples in 2021. If they later decide to be a celebrant, they must make a fresh application, pay the full application fee and provide new documents.
Information for central contacts
Change of central contact
If your central contact has changed, email celebrants@dia.govt.nz by Friday 30 October (tomorrow) before 5pm.
Organisation's name
If the name of the organisation needs to change, that must occur outside the renewal period.
RealMe
All central contacts should now have a verified RealMe Identity ready to use for the 2021 renewal. If you have not already verified your identity or wish to confirm your login details are still correct, visit www.realme.govt.nz
If you experience any issues with your RealMe visit www.realme.govt.nz/help/ to find a solution and for RealMe’s contact details.
Your responsibility
It is your responsibility to complete the annual renewal on behalf of the celebrants within your organisation. An email will be sent to you in early November providing you with access to the online renewal for your organisation. Complete the renewal in full and pay the fee before 29 November to ensure your celebrants are current for the following year.
The renewal is fully online, so don't send us any paper forms.
Wait until renewal starts
Wait until Monday 2 November before completing any paperwork, otherwise you will need to do it again. The declaration must be signed on a date from 2 November to 29 November.
Pay the renewal fee
You will need to pay the renewal fee for each celebrant at the time of submission. It is recommended that you consider this ahead of time and have the fee readily available on a credit, debit or Prezzy card.
If you experience any issues paying the fee email Celebrants@dia.govt.nz
New organisational celebrants
The renewal cannot be used to include new celebrants. Those applications need to go through the usual process at www.govt.nz/organisations/births-deaths-and-marriages/information-for-marriage-celebrants/become-an-organisational-celebrant/#how-to-apply
Organisational Celebrants
The central contact of your organisation is responsible for completing the renewal on your behalf. It is recommended that you speak to your central contact to ensure they have obtained their verified RealMe Identity and are prepared to complete the renewal in November.
How to find our who your central contact is
Ask one of your colleagues if you do not know who your central contact is.
Fees
The fee can be paid online via credit, debit or Prezzy card when completing the renewal. This fee is for application only and is non-refundable should your renewal be declined. If you experience any issues paying the fee email Celebrants@dia.govt.nz
If the renewal application is not completed before the official close date, you will be removed from the list of celebrants. To become a celebrant again you will need to complete a new celebrant application and pay the full fee of $150. If you want to retain your licence for another year complete the application before the close of the renewal.
Further Information
- All organisational central contacts are required to complete the renewal online using a verified RealMe Identity.
- Organisational central contacts will be required to pay $30 per celebrant when submitting the renewal online.
- A link to the renewal will be sent to you via email as soon as the renewal opens.
- You may continue taking bookings and performing weddings throughout the renewal process.
- We will send you an email advising that the renewal has closed.
- Before 24 December, we will notify the celebrants that have been approved or removed.
Any questions relating to the 2021 renewal should be sent to celebrants@dia.govt.nz as soon as possible to ensure an easy renewal process.
