If the marriage is to be solemnised by an officiating minister [or by a marriage celebrant – section 10], the Registrar shall, upon compliance with the requirements of section 23 of this Act, …. , not earlier than the third day after notice of the intended marriage was given, issue a marriage licence authorising  the marriage of the persons named in the licence at the place described therein.

 

Gayle Zielke, president and South Pacific Specialist for First Choice Travel and Cruise says, "The Cook Islands and Atutaki are some of the most exciting and exotic islands you can find! The Cook Islands is the ultimate destination for travelers seeking unique experiences and "off the beaten track" in island escapes."  "Lets discuss why in the world you would want to visit the Cook Islands and Atutaki!"

 Zielke says, "I imagine that half the world doesn't know about this best kept secret destination!  It is off the beaten path.  If I wasn't a South Pacific Specialist and interested in everything about Polynesia I might have missed this SECRET too!!!"

 

The following are the requirements of the Marriages of the Cook Islands:

NOTICE OF MARRIAGE

 (a)  Where two persons intend to marry in the Cook Islands, both of them shall give Notice in the prescribed form to the (Deputy) Registrar of Marriages.

(b)   The person/persons giving notice shall appear personally before the (Deputy) Registrar and shall make a statutory declaration that the particulars recorded on the notice are true, that the marriage is not prohibited by the Act, and that there is no other lawful impediment to the intended marriage.

TO ISSUE MARRIAGE LICENSE 

Note:

1.      The Registrar has discretion to waive the three working days requirements. For the Registrar to exercise his discretion, wedding co-ordinators must apply in writing and in advance of the date of completing the notice of intended marriage, setting out the reasons as to why the Registrar should exercise such discretion. The Registrar will then consider the application and send a reply to the applicant. In the absence of any prior approval given by the Registrar to waive the three days requirement, any application for marriage licence will be processed in the normal way as prescribed by the Act.

 

Section 30:     WHEN MARRIAGE MAY BE SOLEMNISED

 

A marriage shall NOT be solemnised by an officiating minister [or marriage celebrant] until the marriage licence issued in respect of the marriage has been delivered to him or her.

 

Section 32:     MARRIAGE BEFORE (DEPUTY) REGISTRAR

OR REGISTRAR-GENERAL

 

A Deputy Registrar or the Registrar or the Registrar-General can solemnise marriages, with open doors, at the office of and before any of them as named in the licence in the presence of two or more witnesses, at any time while their office is ordinarily open for the transaction of public business under this Act.

 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

 

            To expedite the process of completing the notice of intended marriage, the following documents must be available for perusal at the counter:-

 

(a)                Passport and Birth Certificates.

(b)               If divorced, MUST produce DECREE ABSOLUTE –             (MUST be TRANSLATED into ENGLISH).

(c)                If Widow/Widower, Death Certificate of 

                    deceased spouse.

 

FEES

 

The following fees are payable on completion of the notice of intended marriage and before issuing the licence:

 

$50.00 (VAT inclusive), for Marriage Licence

$45.00 (VAT inclusive), for the three days waiver of marriage licence.

$20.00 (VAT inclusive), for issuing an amended marriage licence.

 

            REMINDER

 

To avoid further delay in completing the process, please ensure that all the necessary arrangements have been finalised, such as, person officiating the marriage, venue and date of the marriage, before coming into the office to complete the forms.