How to get hitched in Australia

There is a lot to consider when planning your wedding day. this page will help you with the key legal requirements. to be legally married in australia, a couple must:

• 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 and wife
• use specific words during the ceremony
• give written notice of their intention to marry to their authorised celebrant.

it is my job to assist you to understand these requirements.

You don't have to be an australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia to legally marry here. you can find marriage visa information on the department of immigration and border protection website, if you hope to live in Australia after your marriage.

Important paperwork—notice of intended marriage

A completed notice of intended marriage (noim) form must be given to me at least one month before the wedding. you can give it to me up to eighteen months beforehand.

I am more than happy to help you complete the form and this can be done at our first meeting after i have sighted the correct forms of identification. the notice may be completed and witnessed outside australia if required.

talk to me if there is less than one month before your wedding. a prescribed authoritymay approve a shorter notice time in some limited circumstances.

you will need to give evidence of date and place of birth, identity and the end of any previous marriages for each party. it may also be required for 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, myself and two witnesses. you will be given one of the certificates as a record of your marriage on the day.

your marriage will be registered with the registry of births, deaths and marriages in the state or territory it took place within fourteen days.

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, after approximately three weeks, from the registry after your wedding.