Pick a celebrant here
The Department of Internal Affairs is now providing a new online service to help people choose a marriage or civil union celebrant. Go to www.bdm.govt.nz and look in the Civil Union or Marriage sections. You can also get information by phoning call free, 0800 22 52 52.
Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Brian Clarke, says the online service is a quick and easy way of getting the name of a genuine celebrant. Previously people had to search through The New Zealand Gazette at a library or at one of our 58 Registry Offices nationwide.
“We’re pleased to be able to provide this service to the public. New Zealanders like the idea of getting married or entering a civil union and there are more and more happening. Last year there were 23,783 marriages, up from 20,470 in 2005. Civil Unions have been possible since April 2005 and there were 302 that year, and last year there were 427 civil unions.
“The website is divided into two categories, organisational and independent celebrants. Organisational celebrants are priests or ministers of churches or are attached to other organisations or fellowships. There are 7,552 religious and organisational celebrants. You can search for these celebrants by name or organisation.
“The second group is the 1,622 independent celebrants listed by name and region.
“The 680 civil union celebrants are listed on a separate web page,” he says.
Mr Clarke says a small number of exempt organisations, such as The Society of Friends or Quakers have permission to solemnise marriages without a celebrant but still require a marriage licence.
Other statistics:
· for marriages: http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/EC622CE6-71E8-4D29-9537-41A0C9DB2B3D/0/Marriages.xls
· for civil unions: http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/691C62E2-5E6B-4BF5-A8E2-8AF813467213/0/marriagescivilunionsdivorcesyedec05hotp.pdf
Media Contact:
Marguerite Fahy, Senior Communications Advisor 04 382 3700
Identity Services Te Ratonga Tuakiri
The Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
