Family

UPDATE 13 September 2021: The Auckland region is at COVID-19 Alert Level 4. Everywhere else in Aotearoa New Zealand is at Delta Alert Level 2.

For family-related guidance during COVID-19, please refer to our Information for families and whānau page.

Courts remain an essential service throughout all COVID-19 alert levels but will operate differently. For more information about how courts are currently operating, please refer to: Information for all court and tribunal users.

Please do not come to the courthouse if you are feeling unwell. Contact 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787) if you cannot enter the courthouse or are not sure whether to attend. Find contact details for a court or tribunal

We are following Ministry of Health guidelines to protect the health and safety of all court participants and staff. Follow the link above to court protocols for information applicable to your region. Court participants are strongly encouraged to download the NZ COVID Tracer app and scan the COVID-19 QR code using their mobile devices.

Please download the latest health and safety factsheet from the top of our COVID-19 hub page and please keep checking our Latest COVID-19 Updates page for new information.

Get information about family issues, and other times when you need help.

Relationship break up »

A break up can be hard to navigate and everyone’s journey will be different. The relationship break up tool can help you find the information that is most important to you.
Separation & divorce »

Get help to separate or divorce when your marriage, civil union or de facto relationship ends.
Care of children »

Information on making arrangements for the care of your children and how the Family Court can help you sort out arrangements.
About Family Court »

Find out how the Family Court and other services can help you resolve problems.
Family violence »

Information on how to get help and/or legal protection from the Family Court if you're in, or have been in, a family or close personal relationship with a person being violent.
Relationship property »

Get help to make agreements about relationship property and assets at any time during your relationship, or when the relationship ends or the other partner dies.
Challenge a will »

Find out the reasons you can challenge a will and how to do it in Family Court.
Change sex on your birth certificate »

How to change the sex on your birth certificate.
Powers to make decisions for others »

How you can help people who may not be fully able to make decisions for themselves, including information on enduring power of attorney, welfare guardians, property managers and Personal Orders.
Court ordered treatment »

The court can order treatment for mental health issues, alcohol and substance abuse or other addiction issues.
Information for lawyers & service providers »

Resources for lawyers and service providers, including without notice applications, mediation and parenting courses.
Civil restraint orders to prevent meritless cases »

The Family Court can make an order to restrict a person from starting or continuing to bring civil cases which are unwarranted or meritless.
Get consent to marry if you’re aged 16 or 17 »

If you’re aged 16 or 17 and want to marry, or be in a civil union or de facto relationship with someone, you’ll need the consent of a Family Court judge.
Contact the Family Court »

Find out how to contact or find a Family Court.

This page was last updated: 20th September 2021