Intention to Marry Notice (ITM) 1856-1956:
Intention to Marry Notices were New Zealand's marriage licence. From 1854 one member of a couple intending to marry had to complete a Notice of Intention to Marry for the local registrar, pay a fee and receive a marriage certificate (e.g. a marriage licence) before a civil or religious ceremony could take place. The couple had three months after receiving the certificate in which to solemnize the marriage, but it usually took place within a week.
The registers of Notices of Intention to Marry are card-indexed up to 1881 and held at the Wellington office of Archives New Zealand. The exception is the Registers for Gisborne (indexed from 1856-1956) which are held at the Auckland office of Archives New Zealand.
Intention to Marry Notices after 1881 are not indexed but can usually still be found if the date and the place of marriage is provided.
Information provided in ITM returns:
•The date on which the notice was registered.
•The full name, marital status, calling or profession and age of both parties.
•The dwelling place of both parties.
•Length of residence in registration district.
•The place where the marriage was to be solemnized.
•The name and relationship of the person giving consent in the case of a minor (individual under 21 years).
•The date of the marriage certificate.
•The name of the officiating minister or registrar.
Note that Intention to Marry Notices (see below for an exemplar) are not the same as a marriage certificate.
Contact details for Archives New Zealand Head Office, Wellington;
10 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon, Wellington, New Zealand
PO Box 12-050, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: (64-4) 499 5595
Fax: (64-4) 495 6210
Exemplar of an Intention to Marry Notice:
Intention to Marry Index BDM 20/10 1865 East Taieri. p. 457/#76.
Gavin Murdoch, bachelor, a miner aged 27 years living at Chain Hills (length of residence 5 days) intends to marry Catherine Murdoch, a spinster aged 20 years living at Glenhead (length of residence 8 months) at the house of John Murdoch, Glenhead, East Taieri. Date of certificate 4th August 1865. Person giving Consent in the Case of a Minor: John Murdoch, father. Minister: Rev. William Will.
