THE PROCESS

What you need to know about the process of legally getting married in Australia – in a nutshell...

A completed Notice of Intended Marriage form (Download here) needs to be lodged with your intended celebrant at least one month (and no more than 18 months) before the ceremony. This can be lodged by only ONE person - even if your partner is not in Australia at the time. This can also be lodged from Overseas by email or mail with us.

EVIDENCE OF YOUR IDENTITY

Along with your Notice of Intended Marriage form (NOIM), you also need to provide evidence of your identity (specifically your place and date of birth) and information on how any previous marriages ended. (Please see the DOCUMENTATION LIST to find out what relevant documentation you’ll need.)

DOCUMENTATION LIST REQUIRED FOR LODGEMENT OF YOUR NOIM:

The following is a list of documentation you would require whether you are born in Australia or born overseas. please click this article and read on...

DECLARATION OF NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE

The ‘Declaration of no legal impediment to marriage’ must be signed prior to your wedding taking place. This document is a Statutory Declaration which you will sign in front of your celebrant which confirms that you are both of marriageable age, and that there is no circumstance which would be a legal impediment to your marriage to one another. Don’t worry - our celebrants will guide you through this so that it's simple to understand. Feel free to ask any questions at any time if you are confused about any part of the process.

LEGAL VOWS

On the day of your ceremony you must make public declarations in front of witnesses. This means you will need to speak out loud in a ‘repeat-after-me’ process. These legally worded phrases are repeated after your celebrant and they are (words to this effect):

I call upon the people here present to witness, that I (name) take you (name) as my lawfully wedded wife/husband/partner.

SIGNING YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

On the day of your marriage you will also be required to sign up to three marriage certificates. The bride should sign using her current name or maiden name.

LEGAL REGISTRATION OF YOUR MARRIAGE

You will receive a Party Marriage Certificate on the day of your Marriage Registration ceremony.

After the wedding ceremony your Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant will complete the legal process and fully register the marriage which took place. 

PROCESSING TIMES AND THE FINAL OFFICIAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

It currently takes the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Victoria up to five working weeks to officially issue the final legal Marriage Certificate. This can only be ordered online - or via your marriage celebrant on the day of the registration of the wedding. This is the official Marriage Certificate document you will need to provide to most organisations for legal change of name and proof of your marriage. This is also the document you would need if you are in the process of an Immigration Visa Application.