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Ceremony FAQs

Getting Married
ANSWERS
  1. How do we get a marriage license?
    In Australia there in no Marriage license as such. There is, however, a form known as The Notice of Intended Marriage. This form is normally obtained from the celebrant that you choose to solemnise your marriage. However, it may also be downloaded from the Attorney-General's site. Download NOIM [PDF]
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  2. How much notice do we need to give the celebrant before we can be married?
    The current Marriage Act requires that a Notice Of Intended Marriage MUST be lodged with the solemnising celebrant a MINIMUM of one calendar month plus one day before your marriage can take place, and a maximum of eighteen months.
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  3. What documentation do we need to supply before the marriage can take place?

    The celebrant is required to sight the following ORIGINAL documents.

    COPIES CERTIFIED BY A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE

    1. Original certificate of birth (This may be an Extract or Full Certificate)
    2. If a birth certificate is not obtainable an OVERSEAS Passport (The Australian Government will NOT accept an Australian Passport for this purpose)
    3. If you have been previously married, the Decree Absolute or Divorce Certificate
    4. If you are a widow or widower, the Death Certificate of your late spouse
    5. If any certificates are written in a language that the solemnising celebrant cannot understand a Translation by a registered translator is required.

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  4. Do we need to have all our documentation when we lodge the Notice Of Intended Marriage?
    No. However, you MUST produce all the relevant documents before the marriage can take place.
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  5. Can we get married in less than one calendar month and one day?
    Yes this is possible, but only under specified extenuating circumstances. Discuss your particular situation with your celebrant who will advise you as to how to obtain a shortening of notice. Authority to shorten notice cannot be given by the celebrant, it must be obtained from a prescribed government authority. It is an offence to participate in a marriage ceremony less than one month and one day after the Notice of Intended Marriage is formally lodged unless you have formal authority.
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  6. How old do I need to be before I can be married?
    The minimum age for marriage is 16 years, however, at least one party to the marriage must be 18 years of age or over, and the party under 18 must have consent for the marriage from that person's parent(s) and a Judge or a Magistrate. Marriages between two parties under 18 cannot be performed under any circumstances, and marriages of such parties performed overseas are not recognised in Australia.
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  7. Can visitors to Australia be married in Australia?
    Yes, provided that the Notice of Intended Marriage form is lodged with the celebrant at least one month and one day before the ceremony. Overseas visitors do not have to be resident in Australia for the full notice period. It is possible for a person to arrive in Australia, produce the relevant original documents to the celebrant and be married all on the same day.Consult your chosen celebrant to make arrangements to forward a duly notarised Notice of Intended Marriage to him/her.
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  8. How can a person living overseas or in another State of Australia lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage?
    The form may be obtained, completed and witnessed by an approved person and then faxed or emailed to the celebrant so that the celebrant receives it at least one month and one day before the date of the wedding. If the form is emailed, it must be scanned as the celebrant is required to see all signatures. THE ORIGINAL FORM MUST BE PRODUCED TO THE CELEBRANT BEFORE THE MARRIAGE CAN TAKE PLACE.
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  9. Are there any restrictions on time or places that a marriage can take place in Australia?
    Marriages in Australia can take place at any time and in any place, providing that the ceremony does not cause a nuisance to other people, and that you are not trespassing on private land. Check with the local council if you wish to have your ceremony in a park.
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