16/01/2025
What is legally required and acceptable for the recording of parents' names on the application for a marriage licence?
We asked Births, Deaths and Marriages, and here’s what they told us:
'The reason for including parents' details is to record ancestry and to ensure compliance with Section 15 of the Marriages Act.
'Legally, couples marrying need to list:
- Their biological parent or parents
- Their post-adoptive parent or parents, depending on what the court order says (in NZ court or overseas).
- In an assisted human reproduction procedure, it may be the partner of the mother (woman or man) that consented to the mother undergoing the procedure.
'But there have been cases where we have agreed that a distressed child does not want to have a parent named on their marriage paperwork because of historic abuse. Also, we are aware that anecdotally some couples list others who they consider to be their parents – e.g. whāngai.
'So, there’s legally what should be done, with a range of complicating factors. And then there are cases where we can be flexible if there is good reason. And then there are those who quietly list incorrect information and we may never know. Importantly, none of this affects the validity of their marriage.
'We are currently replacing our very old registry systems. This will give my team a “single view of the customer”, meaning in the future we can match birth records with marriage records and ensure the correct parent details flow through into marriage records.
'We are also using this as an opportunity to review the forms and will be looking at the information we provide through “pop-up windows” etc.'
IMAGE Chaznel Photography
