Legal Requirements
It is important that you prepare all of the required documents prior to your ceremony to ensure you meet the legal requirements for marriage in Australia.
1. All couples must complete the 'Notice of Intended Marriage' no less than one month and one day (a calendar month) prior to the marriage taking place.
2. This 'Notice of Intended Marriage' MUST ONLY BE LODGED WITH THE CELEBRANT who is going to marry you and NOT Births Deaths & Marriages.
3. All couples must be over the age of 18 years unless judicial permission has been obtained (contact the Celebrant for more info on this).
4. NO Australian passports are acceptable as ID, under any circumstances, at any time, even for Australian born people or for those who have become Residents of Australia.
Here are the legal requirements to get married in Australia:
- If you were born in Australia you must produce your BIRTH CERTIFICATE to the Celebrant prior to marriage
- If you were born outside Australia you must produce either your BIRTH CERTIFICATE or your OVERSEAS PASSPORT to the Celebrant prior to marriage
- If you have been married before you must produce your (1) DIVORCE DOCUMENT from the Government or (2) DEATH CERTIFICATE if you have been widowed
- You will need 2 witnesses over the age of 18 years to attend your marriage (these can be organised for you)
- You will need to obtain your Registered Marriage Certificate after the marriage, as legal proof of marriage. The Celebrant registers your marriage on-line with Births Deaths & Marriages the same day and your Registered Marriage Certificate is available for collection the next working day or it can be mailed to your address.
- The Celebrant will also advise you about Apostile and Authentication stamps if you are returning to live overseas