Certified Celebrant Legalities

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Legal Formalities

In accordance with the Australian Marriage Act to get married in Australia you must comply with the following:

     ©     Be of the opposite sex.
          ©     Be 18 years of age or older - if under you require parental consent and the Consent by Order of the Court.
          ©     Overseas residents can marry in Australia.
          ©     Certain related parties cannot marry.

Documentation

Notice of Intended Marriage - to be completed between 18 months and 1 month and 1 day prior to the Ceremony.

If you are Australian, the Celebrant needs to see an original Birth Certificate, if not available a Statutory Declaration as to why not available or a Passport.

If from overseas an original Birth Certificate or Passport, either of which must be in English or translated by an authorised translator.

Documentary evidence of divorce or death of previous partner.

Statutory Declarations signed by both Bride and Groom and duly witnessed, stating they know of no impediment to them getting married.

Marriage Certificate - there are in fact three of these.
1.   Sent by Celebrant to the Department of Birth, Death and Marriages.
2.   Celebrant’s copy in Register.
3.   Couples Wedding Certificate to keep.
You do require two witnesses over the age of 18 years.

Items of Interest
Change of Name - you are required to apply to the Department of Birth, Deaths and Marriages for a formal change of name. This you will need to change Bank Accounts, Passport, legal documents and other items requiring your personal identification.

Honeymoon - If intending going overseas, book in your maiden name as it may take several weeks to obtain the formal change of name documentation.

Wills - you need to rewrite your wills as previous wills will become null and void.