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How do I Become a Celebrant?

To perform ceremonies other than weddings and civil unions, a celebrant does not require formal registration or official qualifications.

However, a celebrant does require a knowledge of how to create ceremony and how to work with people. Understanding the part other people play in the ceremony, one's legal obligations and limitations is vital. They need to have a good general knowledge of the workings of the industry. They're required to know its conventions and practices, as well as an understanding of the part played by the other professionals they'll work with.

Personal qualities that a celebrant requires are public speaking ability, sound interviewing techniques, a calm reassuring manner, compassion, honesty, commitment, be of good character and have empathy and consideration for others needs. These are all important aspects of the role of the celebrant. These qualities allow the celebrant to construct a ceremony reflecting the wishes of the people they are working with.

The Celebrants Association of New Zealand is an excellent starting point for those wishing to enter into celebrancy work. They can provide networking, support, education and mentoring through the conferences, workshops, forums, branch meetings, newsletters and members only website area.

If you would like to join CANZ, please fill out our online application form

Information from the Department of Internal Affairs regarding Civil Union and Marriage Celebrants

Please check the Births, Deaths and Marriages Site for detailed information

Civil Union Celebrants

Persons wanting to solemnise civil unions must be approved according to the Civil Union Act 2004 and have their name published as a Civil Union Celebrant in the New Zealand Gazette.

There are three main criteria that are considered when making an appointment as a Civil Union Celebrant:
An applicant must be a person of good character; and
An applicant must conscientiously perform the duties of a civil union celebrant; and
There must be evidence that an appointment as a civil union celebrant is in the interests of, either:
the public generally; or of a particular community (whether defined by geography, interest, belief, or some other factor). The Registrar-General will also take into consideration any potential conflicts of interest and apparent bias that may arise if that person is appointed, and consider whether those issues can be managed appropriately.

Formal training is not required to become a Civil Union Celebrant.

A Marriage Celebrant approved under the Marriage Act 1955 is not authorised to solemnise a civil union, and similarly, a Civil Union Celebrant approved under the Civil Union Act 2004 is not authorised to solemnise a marriage. However, a person may be authorised to act as a celebrant under both Acts.

For further information about the role of a Civil Union Celebrant view or print out Civil Union Celebrant: A guide to the role of Civil Union Celebrant in New Zealand.

If you are interested in becoming a Civil Union Celebrant, complete the Civil Union Celebrant application form.

Once you have completed the application form, attach the required documents and post it to:
Celebrant Application
Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 10 526
Wellington 6143

Processing of Civil Union Celebrant applications

Births, Deaths and Marriages will advise each applicant of the outcome of their Civil Union Celebrant application as soon as possible. In some cases, applicants may be asked to provide additional information to assist in the consideration of their application and may be referred to their local Registrar of Civil Unions for a formal interview.

Marriage Celebrants

If you wish to become a Marriage Celebrant please email bdm.nz@dia.govt.nz or post your expression of interest to Births, Deaths and Marriages, ensuring you include:

Your name
Daytime phone number
Postal address
Email address
If you wish to be an Organisational Celebrant, state the church or organisation you belong to; or
If you wish to be an Independent Celebrant (a person appointed solely on the basis of community service and independent from a church or religious organisation); and
Any other relevant details that you wish to include.
Once the BDM office receives your expression of interest you will be contacted by email or post.

As part of the appointment process a Registrar of Marriages may interview you.

There is no charge for appointment.

Please note that holding other positions of responsibility (such as being a Justice of the Peace), or completing any Certificate in Celebrant Studies, does not automatically entitle you to be appointed as a marriage celebrant.

As an appointed Marriage Celebrant your name and address will be published on this website and in the New Zealand Gazette.

For further information on the role of a Marriage Celebrant in New Zealand view or print out Marriage Celebrant: A Guide to the Role of Marriage Celebrant in New Zealand.

Change to Marriage Celebrant Appointment Criteria July 2010