Send us your certificate data — we review it, correct any errors, and email you a clear report with every correction needed. You then use that report to update the official BDM record with confidence.
We correct errors
Email correction report
Official pathway guidance
Common errors
Name misspellings
Date transpositions
Transcription errors
Independent provider. DocuServices NZ identifies and documents errors. We do not submit correction applications to BDM or amend official records. All official corrections must be requested directly through Births, Deaths and Marriages via certificates.services.govt.nz or by post.
What We Do
You send us your NZ marriage certificate data. We review every field, identify any errors — misspelled names, transposed dates, wrong places, missing given names — and correct them based on your supporting documents. You then receive an email with a full correction report, listing exactly what was wrong and what the correct data should be.
Armed with that report, you submit the correction directly to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) using the official portal or by post. Our report gives you the precise documentation needed to make the case to BDM efficiently.
Errors may originate from the original registration — a transcription mistake at the time of marriage — or from a data entry error when historical records were digitised. Either way, we find them, correct them, and tell you exactly what to do next.
Errors on certificates you've already used
If you have already submitted a certificate with an error to an authority (immigration, court, employer), you may need to notify that authority of the correction once it is processed. In some cases, you may need to resubmit the application with the corrected certificate.
Types of Errors on NZ Marriage Certificates
Not all errors are created equal. Some are straightforward transcription mistakes that BDM will readily correct on supporting evidence; others involve more complex situations where the register entry itself is in question.
Straightforward
Name misspelling
A name recorded incorrectly due to a transcription error — e.g., "Jonathon" instead of "Jonathan", or a surname letter transposed. Correctable with supporting identity documents showing the correct spelling.
Straightforward
Date transposition
Day and month swapped — e.g., a birth date of 5 July entered as 7 May. Common in digitised records. Correctable with a birth certificate showing the correct date.
Straightforward
Missing given name
A middle name or second given name omitted from the record. Correctable where the original register entry shows the complete name — or with strong supporting documents confirming what was originally registered.
Straightforward
Incorrect place of birth
Town, city or country of birth recorded incorrectly. Usually correctable with a birth certificate or equivalent official identity document from the country of birth.
More complex
Parent name error
A parent's name recorded differently from other official records. BDM may require supporting family documents. In some cases, the original registration may have used an alternative name that was legally valid at the time.
More complex
Occupation or address error
Occupation or address recorded inaccurately. These are less commonly corrected and BDM's approach depends on whether contemporaneous evidence exists to support the correction.
More complex
Incorrect date of marriage
The registered date of marriage recorded incorrectly. Requires strong documentary evidence — including celebrant records, witness statements or other contemporaneous documents. BDM will assess on a case-by-case basis.
More complex
Historical digitisation errors
Errors introduced when handwritten registers were digitised, sometimes decades after the original registration. BDM can review the original physical register. These may require formal statutory declaration evidence.
How the Error Correction Process Works
Correcting a New Zealand marriage certificate involves identifying the error, gathering supporting evidence, and submitting a formal correction application to BDM. DocuServices NZ assists with the identification and documentation steps; the formal application is yours to make.
1
Identify and document the error
We review the certificate data against your supporting documents and reference records to confirm and precisely document the nature of the discrepancy. This forms the basis of the evidence you'll submit to BDM.
2
Gather supporting evidence
The type of evidence BDM requires depends on the error. For a name correction, a passport or birth certificate showing the correct name is typically sufficient. For a date of birth correction, a birth certificate is required. For complex errors, statutory declarations or additional historical evidence may be needed.
We advise on what evidence is likely to be needed based on the type and severity of the error.
3
Submit a correction request to BDM
You submit a formal correction request directly to Births, Deaths and Marriages. This can be done online through the BDM portal or by post using a BDM correction form. BDM will review the evidence and determine whether a correction to the register is warranted.
DocuServices NZ does not submit correction applications on your behalf. The correction request must be made by you — or an authorised representative — directly to BDM.
4
BDM assesses and corrects the register
BDM reviews the evidence and, if they are satisfied a correction is warranted, amends the register. This is a formal government process and BDM's decision is final. Processing times vary — complex corrections may take several months.
5
Order a new, corrected certificate
Once BDM has corrected the register, you can order a new certificate that reflects the corrected information. This certificate can then be used for immigration, legal or other official purposes. We recommend validating the new certificate before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DocuServices NZ correct my certificate for me?
No. DocuServices NZ is an independent data validation provider. We can identify errors and guide you through the process, but only BDM can correct the official register. All correction applications must be submitted directly to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
How long does BDM take to process a correction?
Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the correction and current BDM workloads. Simple corrections with clear supporting evidence may be processed in weeks; complex corrections involving historical records or statutory declarations may take several months. Contact BDM directly for current estimates.
Is there a fee for requesting a BDM correction?
BDM charges a fee for processing correction requests. The fee structure may vary by correction type. Check the current BDM fee schedule at the New Zealand Government's official website or by contacting BDM directly on 0800 22 52 52 (New Zealand).
What if BDM says there is no error?
BDM's assessment is based on the original register entry. If the error originates from the original handwritten register rather than a digitisation mistake, BDM may determine that the register entry correctly reflects what was recorded at the time of registration — even if it differs from other documents. In that case, a statutory declaration or other legal process may be the appropriate path.
My name is spelled differently on my passport and marriage certificate — which is correct?
Both could be correct — names can appear differently across different official documents due to transliteration, abbreviation or different registration systems. The question is which version was originally registered on the marriage record and which version reflects your legal name. We can help identify the discrepancy and advise on the likely correction pathway.
Can I use a certificate with a known error while waiting for a correction?
This depends on the authority and the nature of the error. For immigration or legal purposes, submitting a certificate with a known error — even while a correction is pending — may cause issues. Always disclose known errors to the relevant authority and seek their guidance before submitting. Some authorities will accept a certificate with an explanation letter; others will not.
Official corrections go through BDM
DocuServices NZ identifies and documents errors. All official correction applications must be submitted directly to New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages — either online through the government portal or by post. DocuServices NZ does not submit applications or amend official records.
