Births, Deaths & Marriages Online

Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions apply to all online purchases of Products by a “User” via Births, Deaths and Marriages Online (“BDM Online”) from the New Zealand Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages and the Department of Internal Affairs (“BDM”, “we”).

 

Definitions

“Historical” – means:

• Birth of a living person who was born 100 years ago or more.
• Birth of a deceased person who died 50 years ago or more or who was born 80 years ago or more.
• A stillbirth that occurred 50 years ago or more.
• Deaths that occurred at least 50 years ago, or the deceased's date of birth was at least 80 years ago.
• Marriages that occurred 75 years ago or more.

“Non-Historical” – means:

• Births that occurred less than 100 years ago.
• Stillbirths that occurred less than 50 years ago.
• Marriages that occurred less than 75 years ago.
• Deaths that occurred less than 50 years ago or the deceased's date of birth was less than 80 years ago.
• Civil unions.
• All name changes for persons born overseas registered on or after 25 January 2009.

“Organisation” – any entity approved by the Registrar-General under paragraph 11.

“Product” – a birth, death, marriage, civil union, or name change certificate or printout.

 

1. Terms

1.1 By purchasing any Product from BDM through this website, Users are agreeing to be bound by these terms and conditions.

1.2 Nothing in these terms and conditions affects a User's statutory rights as a consumer under New Zealand law.

1.3 New Zealand law governs these terms and conditions and all online purchases.

 

2. Disclaimer

2.1 BDM makes every effort to maintain accurate information on this website, but cannot guarantee accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for a particular purpose, and takes no responsibility for any incorrect information contained on the website.

2.2 This disclaimer applies in addition to the standard Department of Internal Affairs disclaimer.

 

3. Payments

All prices are shown in New Zealand dollars.

All prices include New Zealand goods and services tax (GST). The GST amount will be shown separately to the product price on the GST receipt.

All prices include postage and handling costs.

3.1 BDM cannot accept liability if payment is refused or declined by the credit card supplier due to the User quoting incorrect card details or for any other reason.

3.2 Once we have received a User's payment, we will send the User confirmation of this by receipt. In the case of credit card payments, orders will not be processed until we receive payment.

3.3 Credit card payment transactions will take place within a secure payment system provided by Payment Express. Payment Express is solely responsible for this transaction. See the Payment Express privacy/security policy for more information.

 

4. Delivery

4.1 For up to date processing timeframes, see: BDM service timeframes | New Zealand Government.

4.2 Postage will be by New Zealand standard post for addresses within New Zealand. Users may request courier delivery within New Zealand for an additional charge. Postage to addresses outside New Zealand will be by air mail or courier.

 

5. Refunds

5.1 Refunds may be issued, at the sole discretion of BDM, where this is appropriate (for example because records cannot be found, records cannot be disclosed, or where payments advertised and/or charged were incorrect).

 

6. Privacy

6.1 When a User orders a Non-Historical birth, marriage, civil union, or name change Product, details of the request will be entered into the Access Register as required by s98 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021.

6.2 Please see our Privacy Statement at - Privacy Births, Deaths and Marriages Online - dia.govt.nz for more information.

 

7. BDM's rights

7.1 BDM reserves the right to:

• Modify, suspend or withdraw all or any part of this website without notice.
• Change any of these Terms and Conditions without notice (any continued use of the website following any changes shall be deemed to be acceptance of the changes).
• Refuse a transaction or service at any time and for any reason.

 

8. BDM's Liability

8.1 Subject to 1.2, BDM will not be liable in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, for any direct or indirect losses incurred by Users or any third party arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or the use of this website.

8.2 BDM is not responsible for any delay or failure arising from causes beyond its reasonable control.

 

9. Complaints

9.1 If you have a complaint about the website, please contact BDM by e-mail, phone or in writing (see Contact Us).

Complaints will be considered in the context of BDM's complaints policy. Please see: Complaints Policy – What Happens Next.

 

 

Additional terms and conditions specific to Non-Historical Products

 

10. Use of Non-Historical Website – Individuals

10.1 To be able to purchase a Non-Historical Product on this website an individual User must have a RealMe verified identity. Find more information at www.realme.govt.nz.

10.2 Users must also enter a RealMe code with their RealMe logon. The code will be received via a TXT sent to the User's mobile phone or a RealMe token if the User has one.

10.3 BDM is entitled to rely on the authenticity of the RealMe logon and identity. Where the correct RealMe details have been entered, we may act on any instructions given without further enquiry.

10.4 BDM will require each User to establish his or her identity using RealMe the first time the User orders a Non-Historical Product, and then again annually. BDM may also require a User to re-establish his or her identity using RealMe on any other occasion that a User orders a Non-Historical Product.

 

11. Use of Website – Organisations

11.1 To be able to purchase a Non-Historical Product on this website an Organisation must be approved by the Registrar-General.

11.2 The Organisation is responsible for all orders placed by individuals acting on its behalf.

11.3 Access to this website will be disabled if the Registrar-General considers that doing so is necessary to maintain the security of this website or any information accessed using this website, or if these terms and conditions are breached.

 

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