Getting Married in Australia
Even though you have an abundance of choices regarding your wedding ceremony, there are certain legal requirements to marry in Australia. As your marriage celebrant, it is my job to ensure these are carried out and you have a valid and legally binding marriage.
The advantages of using a civil marriage celebrant not only guarantee your wedding ceremony is created according to your wishes and values, but can be solemnised anywhere in Australia. This gives you total control of your ceremony and allows you to create something that is truly personal and unique.
You may include your favourite poems, readings and music and involve your family and friends. You may choose to have an intimate gathering at home, marry on the beach at sunset, or in your favourite park - it's your choice.
The advantages of using a civil marriage celebrant not only guarantee your wedding ceremony is created according to your wishes and values, but can be solemnised anywhere in Australia. This gives you total control of your ceremony and allows you to create something that is truly personal and unique.
You may include your favourite poems, readings and music and involve your family and friends. You may choose to have an intimate gathering at home, marry on the beach at sunset, or in your favourite park - it's your choice.
Notice of Intended Marriage Form
You must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage form with your wedding celebrant no sooner than one month and no later than eighteen months before you are married.
You can complete this at the time of booking and your celebrant can witness your signatures.
Remember, the one month waiting period does not start until your celebrant has the completed and signed form in their possession.
Download Adobe Reader to open PDF documents.
You can complete this at the time of booking and your celebrant can witness your signatures.
Remember, the one month waiting period does not start until your celebrant has the completed and signed form in their possession.
Download Adobe Reader to open PDF documents.
Identification Required to Marry in Australia
There are forms of identification that your celebrant must sight prior to your marriage. These include:
- Original birth certificate or extract of birth
- Original overseas or Australian passport. (This can be current or expired but not cancelled)
- If it is impracticable for an overseas born person to obtain their birth certificate or passport a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration must be completed
- A change of name certificate if you have changed your name
- If you have been previously married you will require evidence of the end of that marriage
- Original Death Certificate - If your previous spouse has passed away
- Original Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute if divorced
- A court order and written consent from your parents if one party is under 18
- Documents not in English must be accompanied by an accredited English translation
Change of Name After Marriage
Many women choose to take their husband's surname after marriage, though this is not compulsory.
It is important to realise that the certificate given to you on your wedding day, although it is legal evidence of your marriage is not an identity document and many institutions will not recognise it when you want to change your name.
You will need to apply for a standard registry-issued marriage certificate available from Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriages at the current cost of $46.60. You may also wish to apply for a commemorative package $61.00.
It is also worth noting that once you receive your presentation marriage certificate on your wedding day, if it gets damaged or lost it can never be replaced.
To be married in Australia, it is best to use your name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate, Australian citizenship certificate, divorce certificate/previous married name or official change of name certificate. Failure to do this may make it difficult to renew or apply for an Australian passport.
To adopt your husband/wife’s surname, you will need to apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State you were married for a certified marriage certificate at the current cost of $46.60 (in Queensland). For your convenience I can include your completed application form when I submit your marriage paperwork which will alleviate further ID from you.
You can however apply yourself after you are married and include three JP certified ID documents (listed on the application form) when you submit your form. Please note that it may take up to six weeks to receive your certificate and any enquiries should be directed to QLD Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces.
Please note: Those married overseas who wish to change their name in Australia will need to register for an official change of name (currently $177.40) with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, as although their marriage is legally recognised here, their overseas marriage certificate is not. If born in Australia, the change of name document is processed in the State their birth was registered. If born outside Australia, the change of name document is processed in the State they currently live.
For any enquiries please contact Births Deaths and Marriages directly.
It is important to realise that the certificate given to you on your wedding day, although it is legal evidence of your marriage is not an identity document and many institutions will not recognise it when you want to change your name.
You will need to apply for a standard registry-issued marriage certificate available from Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriages at the current cost of $46.60. You may also wish to apply for a commemorative package $61.00.
It is also worth noting that once you receive your presentation marriage certificate on your wedding day, if it gets damaged or lost it can never be replaced.
To be married in Australia, it is best to use your name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate, Australian citizenship certificate, divorce certificate/previous married name or official change of name certificate. Failure to do this may make it difficult to renew or apply for an Australian passport.
To adopt your husband/wife’s surname, you will need to apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State you were married for a certified marriage certificate at the current cost of $46.60 (in Queensland). For your convenience I can include your completed application form when I submit your marriage paperwork which will alleviate further ID from you.
You can however apply yourself after you are married and include three JP certified ID documents (listed on the application form) when you submit your form. Please note that it may take up to six weeks to receive your certificate and any enquiries should be directed to QLD Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces.
Please note: Those married overseas who wish to change their name in Australia will need to register for an official change of name (currently $177.40) with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, as although their marriage is legally recognised here, their overseas marriage certificate is not. If born in Australia, the change of name document is processed in the State their birth was registered. If born outside Australia, the change of name document is processed in the State they currently live.
For any enquiries please contact Births Deaths and Marriages directly.