Getting married in Australia with a Marriage Celebrant
There are requirements to marry in Australia to ensure your marriage is valid and legally binding.As your marriage celebrant, it is my duty to ensure all requirements are carried out to ensure your ceremony is stress free and in accordance with the Marriage Act of Australia. Using a marriage celebrant allows your wedding to be solemnised anywhere in Australia, and grants you the freedom to incorporate a ceremony which reflects your personalities, values and wishes to develop an intimate and unique ceremony.This can include, but is not limited to:
- Incorporating your guests (family, friends and pets)
- Location (in a hall, at a beach or park, in the backyard)
- Music
- Time of ceremony (sunrise, sunset and all times in-between)
- Themed ceremonies
- Ceremony style (informal or formal)
- Incorporating wedding rituals (handfasting, candle ceremonies, sand rituals)
- Use of script (favourite poem, readings, or passages)
The options are endless, and I look forward to developing your ceremony based on your choices.I look forward to creating your ceremony with you.
What must the Celebrant do?
As your marriage celebrant, there are certain functions and duties that must be performed for your marriage to be valid and legally binding these include:
- Issuance of documents:
- Happily Ever ... Before and After
- Copy of the Code of Practice
- Form preparation
- NOIM
- Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage
- Official certificates
- Discuss all Mandatory requirements
- The Monitum
- Components of the Vows
- Relationship education services
- Obligations of a Marriage Celebrant
- Complaint resolution
- Perform ceremony following the rules outlined in the Marriage Act and Code of Practice
- Lodgement of all forms to the Births, Deaths and Marriages within all required timeframes
What identification do you need?
- In order for the NOIM to be completed, the following identification is required to be sighted by the Marriage Celebrant at the time of signing (no later than 1 month before the ceremony date, and no earlier than 18 months).
DOCUMENTATION 1
- Original birth certificate or extract of birth certificate showing date and place of birth, or
- Passport showing date and place of birth (this can be current or expired, but not cancelled)
NOTE: If it is impracticable for an overseas born person to obtain their birth certificate or passport, a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration must be completed.
DOCUMENTATION 2
- Second form of photo identification showing current address (this can be a drivers licence)
DOCUMENTATION 3 (If Applicable)
- Change of name certificate
- If you have been previously married, you will require evidence of the end of that marriage:
- 1 - Original Death Certificate – if your previous spouse has passed away
- 2 - Original Divorce Certificate of Decree Absolute if divorced
- A Court order and written consent from your parents if one party is under the age of 18.
Documents not in English, must be accompanied by an accredited English translation
What are the mandatory requirements within my ceremony?
There are two parts of the wedding ceremony which must be completed in order for the marriage to be valid and legally binding.
MonitumSection 46 of the Marriage Act, performed by the Celebrant:
“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.“
Mandatory component of the vows Section 46 of the Marriage Act, performed by both parties in front of authorised celebrant and witnesses:
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, [Name 1], take thee, [Name 2], to be my lawful wedding wife or husband, or spouse”
What if you are unhappy with the service provided?
If you are not happy with the service provided by me as your Marriage Celebrant, you are encouraged by the Attorney-General’s department to lodge a complaint.
Initially, please discuss any issues with me. If we are unable to resolve the issue(s), then you can follow the below steps:
Present your complaint in writing within three (3) months of the matter complained of via email (marriagecelebrantssection@ag.gov.au) or mail:
Registrar of Marriage CelebrantsAttorney-General's Department3-5 National CircuitBarton. ACT 2600
- Your complaint must include:
- Your full name and contact details
- The name of the Celebrant involved
- Full details of the complaint, including the date and place of marriage
- Whether the complaint is also part of a police report or legal action
- You must agree to the celebrant receiving your complaint.
- The Attorney-General’s Department must receive your written agreement before they can work on the complaint. The celebrant will be given all documents you provide to the Attorney-General’s Department in support of your complaint.
