Getting married in Australia

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To be legally married in Australia, a person must: 

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• not be married to someone else

• not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister

• be at least eighteen years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where one party is aged between sixteen and eighteen years old understand what marriage means and freely consent to becoming husband, wife or spouse.

• use specific words during the ceremony

• give written notice of their intention to marry to their authorised celebrant, within the required time frame.

 

Important paperwork—Notice of Intended Marriage - Before you are married

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A completed Notice of Intent to Marry form must be completed and lodged with the celebrant no later than one month prior to the ceremony. You can give it to your celebrant up to eighteen months beforehand.

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Your celebrant can help you complete the form. The notice may be completed and witnessed outside Australia if required.

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Talk to your celebrant if there is less than one month before your wedding. A prescribed authority may approve a shorter notice time in some limited circumstances.

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You will need to give your celebrant evidence of date and place of birth, identity and the end of any previous marriages for each party.

Your celebrant may also ask you to complete a statutory declaration to support your evidence.

 

After you are married

 

On the day of your wedding, you will sign three marriage certificates. 

Each certificate should be signed by you, your celebrant and two witnesses.

 

Your celebrant will give you one of the certificates as a record of your marriage.

Your celebrant must register your marriage with the registry of births, deaths and marriages in the state or territory it took place

within fourteen days.

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The certificate issued by the registry of births, deaths and marriages is required for many official purposes. 

You should apply for a copy of this certificate from the registry after your wedding through the relevant births, deaths and marriages.

 

Please feel free to ask me any questions in relation to making sure your marriage is legal.  Michelle

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