Getting Married
There are a number of steps you need to follow, to get legally married in Australia. Whether you are a planning a big celebration, or an intimate ceremony, the legal requirements are the same.
1. Notice of Intended Marriage
Once you have chosen an awesome Marriage Celebrant, you will need to meet with them to fill out the NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage) This needs to be completed and lodged with your Marriage Celebrant no later than one month before your wedding date. You can fill this out up to 18 months before your wedding day, so once you have chosen a Celebrant, I recommend you meet as soon as practical to get everything organised.
2. Provide proof of date & place of birth
Provide Proof of Date and Place of Birth - your Passport is the easiest, or your official birth certificate, or an official extract, showing the date and place of birth.
3. Photo Identification
Something with your photo on it, to prove your identity - eg Your Passport, Driver's License, or Proof of Age Card.
4. Proof you are NOT already validly married
If you have already been married, evidence of death, nullity or divorce will need to be provided (eg your Divorce Certificate).
5. Sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment
The Declaration of Legal Impediment document is a document stating you are not already married and there is no other legal circumstance that would mean you can not get married. The Declaration is printed on the back of the official Marriage Certificate, which your Celebrant will send to the BDM following your wedding, to register your marriage.
At your Rehearsal, or at a time that is convenient, as close to the wedding date as possible, you will be asked to sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment. Don’t stress – Your Celebrant will go through all this with you!
6. Legal wording during your Marriage Ceremony
During your wedding ceremony, in front of your two legal witnesses (any two people over 18 years of age).
This includes The Monitum (read by your Celebrant):
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 the law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
And >>
Legal Wording for your Vows (you can also say your own personal Vows during the Ceremony):
Bride/Groom/Partner (repeating after Celebrant): I call upon the people here present to witness that I [Bride/Groom/Partner's name], take you [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life.
7. Signing marriage certificates
Both you, your partner, and your two witnesses will sign three Marriage Certificates on the day, your Celebrant will give you one to keep, they will keep one, and the other will be sent by your Celebrant to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory where your marriage took place.
8. Registered Marriage Certificate
Your Celebrant will send your paperwork to register your marriage.
After a minimum of 14 days, you can apply for a Registered Marriage Certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) WA (or in the State where your Marriage took place).
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about the process? Here's some commonly asked questions.
Once you have chosen an awesome Celebrant, you will need to meet with them to fill out the NOIM (the Notice of Intended Marriage). This needs to be completed and lodged with your Marriage Celebrant no later than one month before your wedding date. You can fill this out up to 18 months before your wedding day, so once you have chosen a Celebrant, I recommend you meet as soon as practical to get everything organised.
Your Celebrant will need to see identification which shows your date and place of birth, along with photo ID, when you meet to complete the NOIM:
Proof of Date and Place of Birth:
- An official birth certificate, or an official extract of an entry in an official register, showing the date and place of birth of each party or
- Your Passport, which shows your date and place of birth.
Photo Identification:
The Marriage Act states that your marriage celebrant should not solemnise a marriage until he or she is satisfied that both parties are who they claim to be. You will need to provide one of the following:
- a driver’s licence
- a Proof of Age/Photo Card
- a passport (only if it has not been used above as your proof of birth)
- an Australian citizenship certificate along with another form of photographic evidence.
Proof that you are not already validly married
If you have already been married, evidence of death, nullity or dissolution will need to be provided to your Celebrant.
This Declaration of No Legal Impediment document is a document stating you are not already married and there is no other legal circumstance that would mean you can not get married. The Declaration is printed on the back of the official Marriage Certificate, which your Celebrant will send to the BDM following your wedding, to register your marriage.
At your Rehearsal, or at a time which is convenient, as close to the wedding date as possible, you will be asked to sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment.
Don’t stress – Your Celebrant will go through all this with you!
There will be three Marriage Certificates to sign on the day, your Celebrant will give you one to keep, they will keep one, and the other will be sent by your Celebrant to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory where your marriage took place.
Your Celebrant will send your paperwork to register your marriage.
After a minimum of 14 days, you can apply for a Registered Marriage Certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) WA (or in the State where your Marriage took place).
Let's Chat
Have more questions about the process? Let's Chat! I am available by phone or email as much as you need me.
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