Below is a simple overview of the steps required to legally marry in Australia.
If anything is unclear, feel free to call our team on (03) 9820 1119 and we will happily guide you through the process.
Before a wedding ceremony can take place in Australia, a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged with an authorised marriage celebrant.
The NOIM must be submitted at least one month before the wedding date and no more than 18 months in advance.
Only one partner needs to lodge the form, even if the other partner is overseas. The completed form can also be lodged from overseas by email or post once it has been properly witnessed.
When lodging your NOIM, you must provide identification confirming your date and place of birth, along with evidence showing how any previous marriages ended (if applicable).
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide:
If born in Australia
• Original or certified copy of your birth certificate
• Plus either:
– driver’s licence
– proof of age card
– passport (expired passports may be accepted if not cancelled)
If born overseas
• Original or certified copy of your passport or birth certificate
If previously married
• Divorce certificate or decree absolute, OR
• Death certificate of former spouse
If under 18
• Court approval for the marriage
• Written consent from both parents
Certified copies can usually be obtained by having the documents sighted and signed by a police officer or Justice of the Peace.
If documents are not written in English, an accredited translation will also be required.
Before the ceremony takes place, both partners must sign a Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage.
This statutory declaration confirms that:
• you are both legally free to marry
• you are of marriageable age
• there is no legal reason preventing the marriage
Your celebrant will guide you through this form before the ceremony.
During the ceremony, each partner must say a legal declaration of marriage in front of the celebrant and two witnesses.
These words (or words to this effect) are required by Australian law:
“I call upon the people here present to witness that I, (name), take you, (name), to be my lawful wedded partner.”
After the ceremony, the couple, the two witnesses and the celebrant will sign the official marriage certificates.
Both parties should sign using their current legal name.
After the ceremony, the celebrant submits the official marriage documents to the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages so the marriage can be formally registered.
You will receive a Commemorative Party Marriage Certificate on the day of your ceremony.
The official legal marriage certificate is issued by the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Processing typically takes between four and six weeks, after which you can order your certificate online or arrange for your celebrant to order it on your behalf.
This is the certificate you will need for:
• changing your surname
• updating identification documents
• immigration or visa applications
• official proof of marriage