What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in New Zealand?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in New Zealand, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in New Zealand?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage in New Zealand if you are allowed to marry there as a Dutch national.
Same-sex couples can get married in New Zealand.
You cannot get married at the Dutch embassy.
Requirements for getting married for Dutch nationals
If you are a Dutch national and you want to marry, you must meet the following requirements:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. If you are under 18 and you marry abroad, the Dutch authorities will not recognise your marriage until you and your partner are both 18.
- You and your partner must not already be married to or have a registered partnership with someone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you will need the permission of your guardian or of the limited jurisdiction judge (‘kantonrechter’).
- The following family members are not allowed to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other: parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
What documents do I need to marry in New Zealand?
To get married in New Zealand you will need the following documents:
To get a marriage licence, you will need to provide:
- your own details
- your partner’s details
- the details of one of your parents
- the details of one of your partner’s parents.
Find out more about getting a marriage license on the New Zealand government website
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in New Zealand are recognised in the Netherlands. But you must have your marriage certificate legalised.
Do I have to register my marriage in the Netherlands?
You may need to register your marriage in the Netherlands. This depends on where you live.
If you live in the Netherlands, you must register your marriage with your municipality. You will need your marriage certificate to do this. First have your marriage certificate translated and legalised.
More information about having documents from New Zealand legalised
If you live outside the Netherlands, you can have your marriage certificate converted into a Dutch certificate by the municipality of The Hague. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful if you ever need an extract in the future.
More information about registering a foreign marriage certificate in the Netherlands
Additional information
In New Zealand you can also enter into a civil union. This is equivalent to a registered partnership in the Netherlands. Find out more about civil unions in New Zealand on the website of the New Zealand government.