File Photo All of the nation's 120 registered civil union celebrants have been offered the opportunity to also become marriage celebrants ahead of new marriage equality laws coming into force in August. “We anticipate a strong level of demand from the same sex couples in New Zealand and also from overseas, to get married, so it makes sense to increase the number of marriage celebrants,” says Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery. “Same sex couples in a civil union may also decide to change their civil union to a marriage.” Mr Montgomery says that the numbers of civil union licences issued by the Department of Internal Affairs has fallen steadily this year in advance of the 19 August changes. “In May we issued the lowest number of civil union licences for any month over the last five years. The fall may be due to same sex couples holding off having a civil union in favour of a marriage.” 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. GayNZ.com will have full details of everything you need to know if you are planning to get hitched, soon.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 27th June 2013 - 3:49pm