This guide outlines the process of obtaining a marriage license in the Cook Islands pursuant to the Marriage Act 1973.
Marriage Requirements
A legal marriage in the Cook Islands requires a marriage license. Persons being married must be at least 16 years old and those who are under the age of 21 years old require parental consent to be married.
Presently, the Marriage Act 1973 prohibits any marriage between close family members (e.g. brother and sister; grandmother and grandson) or two persons of the same gender. A person born as a male or female is deemed always to be of that gender.
Select an Officiating Minister or Marriage Celebrant
An Officiating Minister or Marriage Celebrant registered with the Ministry of Justice must be selected to solemnise a marriage. Alternatively, the Registrar of Marriages can be requested to solemnise the marriage at the Ministry of Justice.
The Officiating Minister or Marriage Celebrant may assist with preparing to apply for a marriage license.
Contact information for any religious body having Officiating Ministers and a list of Marriage Celebrants can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.
Marriage License Application
Both persons to be married must give Notice of their intended marriage by appearing at the Ministry of Justice and making a statutory declaration in the prescribed form.
Both persons must provide copies of their birth certificates, passports, and, where relevant, divorce decrees or death certificates of deceased spouses. Birth certificates must include the person’s name, gender, and birth date.
A marriage license may only be issued by the Registrar of Marriages three days after the Notice is given unless a Waiver is sought and granted.
A marriage license describes the place of marriage and will expire after three months if the marriage is not solemnised.
Marriage Ceremony and Registration
A marriage must be solemnised at the place described in the marriage license by an Officiating Minister, Marriage Celebrante, or Registrar of Marriages.
Once the marriage is solemnised, the prescribed Marriage Register form must be signed by the bride, bridegroom, two witnesses, and the person who solemnised the marriage. The form must then be delivered to the Ministry of Justice to update the Marriage Register.
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Certificates may be obtained upon payment of the required fee.
Fees
Marriage Licence …………………….. $100
Waiver …………………………………………$75
Marriage Certificate……………………..$25
Marriage Solemnised by Registrar
during normal hours…………………. $100
Search of records (each name)……..$10
