What happens if your application is incomplete?

Incomplete applications are not accepted. The Town Hall may reject the application when: a required document is missing; a copy is submitted instead of an original where an original is required; a document is out of date; a translation or apostille is missing; additional checks are necessary. A new appointment may then be required. The civil registrar may also request an interview with the couple. If the checks cannot be completed immediately, the wedding date may be postponed.

Documents generally required from both partners

You will usually need: a recent full birth certificate or birth certificate showing parentage; a valid passport; the completed Town Hall application forms; identification for each witness; documents confirming your current marital status; French translations of all documents not written in French; any apostilles or legalisations requested by the Town Hall. Additional documents may be required when a partner: has previously been married; is widowed; has children with the other partner; has changed their name; does not speak or understand French sufficiently.

Documents for Australian citizens

Australian citizens are generally required to provide the following documents. Birth certificate: a birth certificate accompanied by a certified French translation. Evidence of marital status: depending on the requirements confirmed by Nouméa City Council, applicants may need to provide evidence that they are legally free to marry. This may include a document issued by the relevant Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages registry or a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage and certificate of custom: the Australian Consulate-General in Nouméa can issue a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage by appointment. When the certificate is issued in Nouméa, it is accompanied by a document meeting the French certificat de coutume requirement. Applications must be lodged in person, and supporting documents and fees apply. Check the Australian Consulate-General’s official guidance before beginning the process. Apostille: the relevant Australian documents must be apostilled where requested. If previously married: a divorced applicant must provide an Australian divorce certificate with a certified French translation. If widowed: a widowed applicant must provide the former spouse’s death certificate, translated where necessary. Australia does not have a publication of banns or marginal annotations on civil-status records. Useful contact Australian Consulate-General in Nouméa For appointments, current fees and guidance on obtaining a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage and the accompanying certificate of custom. Australian Embassy in France — Paris For additional consular information when preparing your documents from France or Europe.

Documents for New Zealand citizens

New Zealand citizens are generally required to provide the following documents. Birth certificate: a birth certificate accompanied by a certified French translation. Evidence of marital status: applicants may be asked to provide a statutory declaration or sworn statement confirming that they are not married or have not remarried, together with any other evidence requested by Nouméa City Council. A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage may also be required. This document can be requested from New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages and should be accompanied by a certified French translation when submitted to Nouméa City Council. Allow sufficient time before travelling, as processing and delivery may take several weeks. For information about applying and the recognition of marriages celebrated overseas, see the official New Zealand Government guidance . Certificate of custom: a certificate of custom issued by the relevant New Zealand diplomatic authority. Apostille: the relevant New Zealand documents must be apostilled where requested. If previously married , a divorced applicant must provide: the divorce judgment with a certified French translation; confirmation from the embassy that the divorce is final. If widowed , a widowed applicant must provide the former spouse’s death certificate, translated where necessary. Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau Different authentication requirements apply: – documents issued in the Cook Islands and Niue require an apostille; – documents issued in Tokelau require legalisation. Useful contact New Zealand Consulate-General in Nouméa Contact the Consulate-General for local consular guidance and to confirm which marriage-related documents or services it can provide. New Zealand Embassy in France — Paris Contact the Embassy to confirm the current procedure for obtaining any certificate of custom or nationality-specific consular document requested by Nouméa City Council.

Couples of other nationalities may also be able to marry in Nouméa. As the required documents vary by nationality and personal circumstances, contact the Service de la vie citoyenne for the exact checklist and procedure that apply to your situation.

How do I get married in New Caledonia?

Numerous hotels and specialised event agencies offer customisable wedding services, including access to chapels and all-inclusive packages.

Is a wedding in New Caledonia legally recognised in Australia?

Foreign tourists (or non-residents) can get legally married in New Caledonia provided they comply beforehand with a few administrative procedures. The future bride and groom simply need to file an application with the Townhall Records Department. The application must include the following documents : – a letter, dated and signed by both parties and addressed to the mayor, requesting him or her to implement the provisions of article 58 of Law no. 2009-594 on a date specified by the couple; – a complete and current copy (including previous marriages, divorces…) of each party’s birth certificate; – a certified photocopy of proof of identity for each party; – the name, first names, date and place of birth of each party’s mother and father, their addresses and professions; – the name, first names, date and place of birth of the witnesses (at least two), their addresses and professions. An officially approved translator will be present at the ceremony, held in Nouméa Townhall’s gracious wedding hall, so that the young couple can follow the proceedings in their native language. Once married, the newlyweds simply need to go to the Consulate of their own country for a certified transcription of their marriage certificate.

Getting Married in New Caledonia | New Caledonia Tourism: The official website for tourism in New Caledonia

Summary

Can overseas couples legally marry in New Caledonia?

Yes. Two foreign nationals visiting New Caledonia can legally marry in a civil ceremony at Nouméa Town Hall. After the wedding, couples should check whether any registration or recognition formalities are required in their home country.

The legal ceremony takes place at Nouméa Town Hall and is conducted in French. Couples may organise a separate symbolic ceremony or reception elsewhere in New Caledonia before or after the civil wedding.

The wedding date and time are confirmed only once the complete application has been reviewed and accepted by the Town Hall.

Start preparing your wedding application early

The complete application must be submitted:

at least one month before the requested ceremony date;
no more than one year in advance.

However, overseas couples should begin preparing several months ahead. Obtaining birth certificates, apostilles, embassy documents and certified translations can take time.

Both partners must attend the appointment to submit the complete application. Allow approximately one hour for this meeting. Incomplete applications, missing documents or copies submitted where originals are required may result in the application being rejected.

Important
Before booking non-refundable wedding services, contact Nouméa City Council to confirm the procedure, expected timeframe and documents required for your situation.

The marriage application process

1. Contact Nouméa City Council

Before ordering or translating any documents, contact the Service de la vie citoyenne and explain:

both partners’ nationalities;
your current country of residence;
whether either partner has previously been married;
whether either partner is widowed;
whether you have children together;
whether both partners speak and understand French.

The Town Hall will confirm the exact documents required for your situation.

2. Obtain your civil-status documents

Order recent birth certificates and any documents relating to your marital status. Foreign birth certificates must generally have been issued within the previous six months.

3. Arrange apostilles and embassy certificates

Some documents must be apostilled before they can be accepted in New Caledonia. You may also need a certificate of custom or other evidence confirming that you are legally free to marry.

4. Have the documents translated into French

Documents written in English must be translated into French by a translator accepted by Nouméa City Council.

5. Complete & submit the Town Hall forms

The application includes information about both partners, their family circumstances, witnesses and the organisation of the ceremony. The official application form must be completed and submitted in French.

Both partners must attend the appointment at Nouméa Town Hall. The ceremony date and time are confirmed only after the complete application has been officially registered and are subject to availability.

What happens if your application is incomplete?
Incomplete applications are not accepted.
The Town Hall may reject the application when:
- a required document is missing;
- a copy is submitted instead of an original where an original is required;
- a document is out of date;
- a translation or apostille is missing;
- additional checks are necessary.
A new appointment may then be required.
The civil registrar may also request an interview with the couple. If the checks cannot be completed immediately, the wedding date may be postponed.

Documents required for your civil wedding

The precise checklist depends on your nationality and individual circumstances. The following information is a practical guide only.

Documents generally required from both partners
You will usually need:
- a recent full birth certificate or birth certificate showing parentage;
- a valid passport;
- the completed Town Hall application forms;
- identification for each witness;
- documents confirming your current marital status;
- French translations of all documents not written in French;
- any apostilles or legalisations requested by the Town Hall.
Additional documents may be required when a partner:
- has previously been married;
- is widowed;
- has children with the other partner;
- has changed their name;
- does not speak or understand French sufficiently.
Documents for Australian citizens
Australian citizens are generally required to provide the following documents.
- Birth certificate: a birth certificate accompanied by a certified French translation.
- Evidence of marital status: depending on the requirements confirmed by Nouméa City Council, applicants may need to provide evidence that they are legally free to marry. This may include a document issued by the relevant Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages registry or a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage.
- Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage and certificate of custom: the Australian Consulate-General in Nouméa can issue a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage by appointment. When the certificate is issued in Nouméa, it is accompanied by a document meeting the French certificat de coutume requirement.
  Applications must be lodged in person, and supporting documents and fees apply.
  Check the Australian Consulate-General’s official guidance before beginning the process.
- Apostille: the relevant Australian documents must be apostilled where requested.
- If previously married: a divorced applicant must provide an Australian divorce certificate with a certified French translation.
- If widowed: a widowed applicant must provide the former spouse’s death certificate, translated where necessary. Australia does not have a publication of banns or marginal annotations on civil-status records.
- Useful contact
  Australian Consulate-General in Nouméa
  For appointments, current fees and guidance on obtaining a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage and the accompanying certificate of custom.
  Australian Embassy in France — Paris
  For additional consular information when preparing your documents from France or Europe.
Documents for New Zealand citizens
New Zealand citizens are generally required to provide the following documents.
- Birth certificate: a birth certificate accompanied by a certified French translation.
- Evidence of marital status: applicants may be asked to provide a statutory declaration or sworn statement confirming that they are not married or have not remarried, together with any other evidence requested by Nouméa City Council.
  A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage may also be required. This document can be requested from New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages and should be accompanied by a certified French translation when submitted to Nouméa City Council. Allow sufficient time before travelling, as processing and delivery may take several weeks.
  For information about applying and the recognition of marriages celebrated overseas, see the official New Zealand Government guidance.
- Certificate of custom: a certificate of custom issued by the relevant New Zealand diplomatic authority.
- Apostille: the relevant New Zealand documents must be apostilled where requested.
- If previously married, a divorced applicant must provide:
  the divorce judgment with a certified French translation;
  confirmation from the embassy that the divorce is final.
- If widowed, a widowed applicant must provide the former spouse’s death certificate, translated where necessary.
- Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau
  Different authentication requirements apply:
  – documents issued in the Cook Islands and Niue require an apostille;
  – documents issued in Tokelau require legalisation.
- Useful contact
  New Zealand Consulate-General in Nouméa
  Contact the Consulate-General for local consular guidance and to confirm which marriage-related documents or services it can provide.
  New Zealand Embassy in France — Paris
  Contact the Embassy to confirm the current procedure for obtaining any certificate of custom or nationality-specific consular document requested by Nouméa City Council.
Other nationalities

Translations and interpreting

Certified translations

All documents not written in French must be translated by a translator accepted by Nouméa City Council.

The Court of Appeal of Nouméa maintains separate categories for oral interpreting & written translation.

Do you need an interpreter?

An interpreter may be required when either partner does not speak or understand French sufficiently.

The interpreter must:

complete and sign the official Town Hall form;
provide a readable copy of their identification;
translate the legal wording and the couple’s consent during the ceremony;
bring the appropriate part of the form to the wedding.

Download the official interpreter form664KB

Nouméa City Council can provide the current list of approved English-language translators and interpreters. Contact the Service de la vie citoyenne for the latest details.

Choosing your witnesses

Each partner must appoint at least one witness.

A civil wedding may have between two and four witnesses in total. Witness details are included in the marriage application and generally cover:

full name;
date and place of birth;
occupation;
residential address;
identification.

Witness identities may be checked before the ceremony.

Your civil wedding ceremony at Nouméa Town Hall

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Wedding at Noumea City Hall-BRUNO MOURE-2028-05-23(3)
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Bruno Moure

The ceremony is held in the wedding room at Nouméa Town Hall.

Couples can provide information about how they would like the ceremony to be organised, including:

the approximate number of guests;
whether rings will be exchanged;
preferred music;
possible online participation for relatives and friends who cannot attend.

Music must be provided to the Town Hall in advance on a USB drive and prepared according to its technical instructions.

Confetti and thrown paper are not permitted. Natural flower petals are recommended instead.

Add a personal touch to your celebration

Alongside your civil wedding, you can also organise a personalised secular ceremony in the setting of your choice. Le Mariage Laïque creates bespoke ceremonies in French or English, inspired by each couple’s story and, if desired, enriched with symbolic rituals and Oceanian influences.

Discover Le Mariage Laïque

Renewing your vows in Nouméa

Already married and dreaming of celebrating your love again in New Caledonia? Couples can also arrange a symbolic vow renewal ceremony in Nouméa.

As this is not a legal marriage ceremony, the requirements and arrangements differ from those described above. Contact Nouméa City Council’s Service de la vie citoyenne to find out more about the available options and how to organise your ceremony.