21 May 2026

BDM fees increase

From 18 June 2026, most Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) service and product fees will increase. Examples include:

• BDM certificates: increasing from $33 to $35
• BDM decorative birth certificates: increasing from $35 to $37
• Marriage licence fees: increasing from $150 to $158

In addition, the registry ceremony celebrant fee will increase as a one‑off change from $90 to $175 (GST inclusive).

BDM services are fee-funded, and after nearly ten years without increases, the changes reflect rising costs.

This will be the first increase in a three-stage approach. The adjustment in 2026 will be followed by the same percentage increase in June 2027, and again in June 2028, rather than a larger one-off increase. 

For more information refer to the press release Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships service and product fees increase from 18 June 2026.

Courier costs increase

From 5 May 2026, courier costs increased due to higher delivery costs. These costs can no longer be absorbed by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Delivery to a New Zealand address

• Standard post: Free
• Courier: $5.30

For overseas courier costs refer to 'What it costs' at Order a marriage certificate.

When emails go to the wrong person

Mistakes happen but what matters most is responding quickly, taking responsibility, and learning from the situation.

Best‑practice response

Act straight away

• Email the unintended recipient immediately. Ask them not to open the email or any attachments, and to delete it.
• You can try to recall the email (this means trying to pull it back after sending), but it often doesn’t work, so don’t rely on it.

Notify affected people

• Be open and straightforward about what happened, using simple, factual language and avoiding unnecessary detail.
• Let the individual(s) whose information may have been shared know what happened.
• Acknowledge the mistake honestly and take responsibility, including saying if anything is still being checked.
• Focus on reassuring the person by explaining what actions have already been taken and how the situation is being managed.

In most cases, you do not need to notify BDM or any other agency.

Acting quickly and being open about what happened helps keep people’s trust and reduces potential harm.

If a complaint is made about a private individual

If a privacy complaint is made about a private individual, the process is generally informal and focused on resolving the issue. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner may assess the complaint and, if needed, contact the people involved to understand what happened. Most matters are resolved through explanation, reassurance, or agreement on simple steps such as deleting information, rather than formal investigation or penalties.

Be careful what you share on social media

Social media makes it easy to share thoughts, photos, and updates. Even when a post feels private or is shared in a closed group, screenshots, resharing, or changes to privacy settings can mean it reaches a much wider audience than intended.

Before posting, it’s worth pausing to consider what you’re sharing, where you’re sharing it, and who could eventually access it. Once something is online, it can be difficult or impossible to fully remove. When in doubt, it’s safest to avoid sharing personal information or content you wouldn’t be comfortable seeing shared more widely.

A good rule of thumb: post as if anything you share could become public, even if you believe it’s private at the time.

Helpful tips

Check your printer settings

• When printing PDFs at home, make sure your printer is set to print the whole document on 1 page, per page. For example, “Actual size” or “Fit to page”.
• Incorrect settings can cause documents to print across 2 pages, which may make them invalid or hard to read.
• It’s a good idea to do a quick test print before final printing.

Giving notice of intention to marry

• Celebrants must not give notice on behalf of couples.
• Couples are required to give notice themselves, either online or in person.
• This helps ensure the information is accurate and complies with legal requirements.

Copy couples into BDM45 submissions

Celebrants may want to copy the couple into the email when they send the BDM45 form to BDM for registration. This helps ensure the couple is aware the form has been sent and enables them to follow up with BDM directly if needed.

Electronic copy of certificate for couples leaving NZ

Couples who live overseas may need to leave New Zealand immediately after their wedding. In some cases, BDM may be able to provide an electronic copy of their marriage or civil union certificate. This can give the couple proof of their wedding sooner, especially if their overseas mail might be delayed or go missing.

The celebrant should include this request when emailing the fully completed and signed marriage particulars to BDM after the ceremony. Clearly state that an electronic copy is needed because the couple is travelling immediately after the wedding, and include evidence of travel (for example, flight tickets or an itinerary).

Each request is assessed on a case-by-case basis. BDM will consider how soon the couple is travelling, the information provided, and whether there is a genuine need for urgent proof.

As a celebrant, checking the couple’s travel plans early can help ensure a smooth process for everyone.

The Celebrant School - Te Wānanga Korowai Aroha is a small Kiwi business with a 30-year track record of inspiring the celebrants of Aotearoa New Zealand with training and professional development opportunities, networking, and support services. For more information on what’s available visit www.celebrant.school.nz or phone 021 681 958.

The Celebrants Training College offers a variety of training and professional development, for new or experienced celebrants throughout New Zealand. More information is available by ringing our office on 021 027 896 96 or at www.celebranttraining.co.nz.