Getting a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage

Certain overseas countries require a 'Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage' before allowing you to marry. This proves that you are not already legally married or in a civil union in your country of citizenship or residence, and according to New Zealand laws you are eligible to be married.

For marriages in some countries, the representative of that country in New Zealand must endorse the Certificate of No Impediment before it is sent. The fee for this service is in addition to the fee payable in respect of the notice. 

Once Births, Deaths and Marriages has received and processed the application, a Certificate of No Impediment may be issued after a statutory period of 14 days, but as a general rule, you should allow four weeks. 

Please note that some countries may treat a Certificate of No Impediment as valid only for a certain period after its issue date.

For information about the process, fee and timeframe to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment in the country you plan to marry please click on the appropriate country link below. Alternatively please contact Births, Deaths and Marriages or the appropriate Embassy/Consulate  for further details.

If you live in New Zealand but are not a New Zealand citizen, you will be issued with a Certificate of Search. The certificate states that there is no record of a marriage or civil union existing in New Zealand. 

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