Touch people’s lives by becoming a marriage celebrant
By becoming a marriage celebrant, individuals and religious community institutions; like temples, gurudwaras, where religious ceremonies solemnise marriage; can serve the community in an important way. Only those persons appointed by the Registrar-General as Marriage Celebrants have the authority to solemnise marriages in New Zealand. Currently, of the 1,800 independent marriage celebrants only 12 are Indian.
“The criteria for eligible is good character, a level of community support, a demand for service so say if a couple provides a letter saying they need the services of an individual and then there is the skill criteria,” says Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery. “The individual should be able to speak in front of people, be presentable and be able to carry out the relevant paper work.”
The Department of Internal Affairs appoints marriage celebrants, registers marriages and produces marriage certificates. To become a marriage celebrant, the procedure is quite simple; the website has a form to fill which can be submitted along with a supporting letter from a community organisation as well as two character references.
Mr. Montgomery says that all couples intending to marry from 19 August need to be aware of the marriage process. “We are preparing for changes to take effect from 19 August. New forms will be available a week before the change for all couples who want to get married, including same sex couples. All couples must use the new form. A couple will apply for a marriage licence using the new form. Three days after notice is given to a Registrar of Marriages, a marriage licence will be ready for collection and a marriage can take place.”
All couples getting married in New Zealand need to follow the correct process, including being married by an approved marriage celebrant or a Registrar of Marriages.
There are three ways in which couples can register their marriage each where marriage celebrants’ services might come handy. The service can be convenient for couples who opt for a religious wedding at a place of worship and can invite a marriage celebrant to register their wedding at the same time. Same for a destination type of wedding, where the religious component is toned down; like at a beach. Some couples opt for a registry wedding too. Last year, 7 per cent of the total Indian couples opted for a registry wedding and this may be because couples going overseas to have an elaborate wedding with extended kin.
Organisations can be approved that have as one of their principal the upholding or promotion of religious beliefs or philosophical or humanitarian convictions; these organisations can nominate their designated celebrants.
While community institutions can have a list of celebrants, this is potentially a route to viable self-employment for individuals who can charge fees for their services.
By becoming a marriage celebrant, individuals and religious community institutions; like temples, gurudwaras, where religious ceremonies solemnise marriage; can serve the community in an important way. Only those persons appointed by the Registrar-General as Marriage Celebrants have the authority...
By becoming a marriage celebrant, individuals and religious community institutions; like temples, gurudwaras, where religious ceremonies solemnise marriage; can serve the community in an important way. Only those persons appointed by the Registrar-General as Marriage Celebrants have the authority to solemnise marriages in New Zealand. Currently, of the 1,800 independent marriage celebrants only 12 are Indian.
“The criteria for eligible is good character, a level of community support, a demand for service so say if a couple provides a letter saying they need the services of an individual and then there is the skill criteria,” says Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery. “The individual should be able to speak in front of people, be presentable and be able to carry out the relevant paper work.”
The Department of Internal Affairs appoints marriage celebrants, registers marriages and produces marriage certificates. To become a marriage celebrant, the procedure is quite simple; the website has a form to fill which can be submitted along with a supporting letter from a community organisation as well as two character references.
Mr. Montgomery says that all couples intending to marry from 19 August need to be aware of the marriage process. “We are preparing for changes to take effect from 19 August. New forms will be available a week before the change for all couples who want to get married, including same sex couples. All couples must use the new form. A couple will apply for a marriage licence using the new form. Three days after notice is given to a Registrar of Marriages, a marriage licence will be ready for collection and a marriage can take place.”
All couples getting married in New Zealand need to follow the correct process, including being married by an approved marriage celebrant or a Registrar of Marriages.
There are three ways in which couples can register their marriage each where marriage celebrants’ services might come handy. The service can be convenient for couples who opt for a religious wedding at a place of worship and can invite a marriage celebrant to register their wedding at the same time. Same for a destination type of wedding, where the religious component is toned down; like at a beach. Some couples opt for a registry wedding too. Last year, 7 per cent of the total Indian couples opted for a registry wedding and this may be because couples going overseas to have an elaborate wedding with extended kin.
Organisations can be approved that have as one of their principal the upholding or promotion of religious beliefs or philosophical or humanitarian convictions; these organisations can nominate their designated celebrants.
While community institutions can have a list of celebrants, this is potentially a route to viable self-employment for individuals who can charge fees for their services.
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