The minimum requirements for an Australian wedding are as follows:

• Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant at least one calendar month prior to the wedding. This can be lodged up to 18 months in advance of the wedding. Can be sent by mail, fax or email.
• Show your celebrant your birth certificate, or if born overseas your passport issued by your country of birth.
• You must be at least 18 years of age
• You need to have two witnesses to the ceremony and they must be at least 18 years of age.
• If either of you have been previously married, you need to show your Divorce Decree Absolute or a death certificate of a previous spouse.

International Visitors wishing to Marry in Australia

• Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant at least one calendar month prior to the wedding. This can be lodged up to 18 months in advance of the wedding.
• When you arrive in Australia you need to show your celebrant your passport or birth certificate.
• If either of you have been previously married, you need to show your Divorce Decree Absolute or a death certificate of a previous spouse to your celebrant.
• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You need to have two witnesses to the ceremony and they must be at least 18 years of age. This can be organized for you if do not have family or friends attending the wedding.
• Your celebrant will work with you on the ceremony words and all other arrangements to ensure your wedding day is stress free.
• On the wedding day you are given a Presentation Certificate. You will need to check with your local authorities on what documentation is required to have your marriage recognized in your country.
• Many countries require you to obtain a Certified copy of the your Marriage Certificate. This is issued by the office of Births Deaths and Marriages once your marriage is registered. Some countries require you to have an Apostile Stamp attached to this certificate. Your celebrant can advise you fully on this.
• It is a good idea to meet with your celebrant when you arrive in Australia to complete the paperwork and discuss all arrangements for your wedding day.

The Ceremony

While the ceremony can be designed by the couple, the following are required to be included:

For the Celebrant:

1. At the beginning of the ceremony the celebrant must introduce themselves

2. Before the exchange of vows the celebrant is required to say:

   "Before you are joined in marriage, in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am bound to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia , is the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life"

3. Bride and Groom must say:

   "I, (groom), take you (bride) to be my (wife)"

   "I, (bride), take you (groom) to be my (husband)" or words to that effect.

Documentation

A Notice of Intended Marriage - minimum 1 month prior to the ceremony

Marriage certificates - are signed after the ceremony (3 documents will be signed by the bride, groom,2 witnesses, and the celebrant).

 

Why 3 Marriage certificates?

One will be sent to the registry of births, deaths and marriages to register your marriage

One is kept by the celebrant for their records

One is given to you as a record of your marriage

e.g. sample form

 

Fees

Fees for weddings are not fixed and may vary from marriage celebrant to marriage celebrant.

Make sure you reach an agreement on the fees before asking the celebrant to hold a date.