Getting married in Australia is a relatively simple process, but there are a few steps you need to follow to ensure that your marriage is legally recognised.
As of 9 December 2017, gender or sex no longer determines who can get married in Australia.
Before you can get married, you must:
– Not be married to someone else
– Not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
– Be at least 18 years old (or have a court order if you are 16 or 17)
– Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage
– Be married by a registered civil marriage celebrant or an authorised minister of religion
– Have two witnesses.
You don’t have to be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident in order to get married in Australia.
If you would like information on registered relationships in Australia you can find that here.
Who can marry you?
First, you’ll need to decide on a marriage celebrant. In Australia, you can choose to have a civil marriage ceremony performed by a marriage celebrant registered with the Australian Government, or you can have a religious marriage ceremony performed by a minister of religion.
Only an authorised celebrant can marry you in Australia. You can search for an authorised celebrant here on the Attorney General’s Department website.
Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
Next, you’ll need to give notice of your intention to marry. This can be done by visiting a registry office or by contacting a marriage celebrant. You’ll need to provide proof of your identity, as well as any documents required by the celebrant or registry office.
Once you have given notice of your intention to marry, you’ll need to wait at least one month and one day before the ceremony can take place. Usually your celebrant will do this for you. This is to allow time for any objections to the marriage to be raised. If no objections are raised, you’ll receive a Notice of Intended Marriage form, which you’ll need to sign and return to the celebrant or registry office.
Who can be a witness at your marriage?
On the day of the ceremony, you’ll need to bring two witnesses with you. The ceremony must be witnessed by two people over the age of 18 who are not marrying each other. The celebrant or registry office will provide you with a marriage certificate, which you’ll need to sign along with your spouse and the two witnesses.
Witnesses can be any family member or friend who is at least 18 years old.
After the ceremony, the celebrant or registry office will register the marriage and issue a formal marriage certificate. This certificate is your legal proof of marriage and is required for a range of purposes, such as changing your name or applying for a spouse visa.
