Getting married can be a stressful process but it doesn't need to be. It is actually quite a simple process to legally wed in Australia. In it's most simplest form what is required is the consenting couple, two witnesses over the age of 18 and a registered civil celebrant. The process can be quite quick, it can literally be over in 15 minutes with a legals only ceremony*. So with that simplicity in mind let me run you through the steps required to get married.
Step 1: Get engaged.
Step 2: Set the date.
Step 3: Get your identification - full birth certificate, current passport and/or current drivers licence.
Step 4: Complete your Notice of Intended Marriage.
The NOIM or Notice of Intended Marriage is the first piece of legal paperwork required to get married in Australia. It is the written notice that you want to get married. It has to be completed by the couple wanting to marry, and it must be witnessed by an authorised witness. In Australia authorised witnesses are: an registered civil celebrant (like me!), a justice of the peace, a barrister or solicitor, a medical practitioner, a member of the federal, state or territory police.
When completing the NOIM you will both be required to show identification which confirms place and date of birth as well as identity. Choices for identification to use are current passport, current drivers’ licence and full birth certificate. If either of you have been previously married, you will need to show proof of the end of that marriage with either a death certificate or court issued divorce certificate. You can download the NOIM from Notice of Intended Marriage | Attorney-General's Department
The easiest way to complete your NOIM is with me, generally we will do this on our kick off call once you have booked with me and paid your deposit. But, you can also do this before you select your celebrant. One advantage of completing the NOIM with me is I can preorder your official marriage certificate. To order your copy of the official certificate costs around $55 which is not included in your ceremony fees. You can also order your official certificate online via Birth, Deaths and Marriages in the state your marriage took place. You can order a copy at any time. The cost is the same and the certificate is posted to you which usually takes two weeks to arrive.
Step 5: Lodge your NOIM with your celebrant.
If you have completed your NOIM with me you can skip this step!
If you have completed your NOIM before selecting me as your celebrant, you lodge it with me during our kick off meeting. To lodge it you simply send me a copy of the signed, witnessed document at least 4 weeks prior to your ceremony date. I will also need to see your identification so have your passport, birth certificate or drivers licence ready.
During our first meeting I will finalise your NOIM so it is officially lodged and I will also ask if you would like to pre-order your official marriage certificate. This is the document you will require if either of you want to change your name. I can pre-order it for you during the NOIM lodgement process, the fee is $55 which is payable to Births, Deaths & Marriages in the state you were married once your marriage is registered (which I do after the ceremony, and it usually takes around 2 weeks). Don't worry, you can order your official marriage certificate at any time once your marriage is registered.
Step 6: Sign the Declaration of No Impediment
The day before or on the day of the ceremony you will both need to sign a Declaration of No Impediment which is a legal document confirming there is nothing stopping you from going ahead with the marriage ceremony. For example, you are not legally married to anyone else, you are not being coerced or under the influence and unable to make clear decisions. It is a simple form you complete with me as your celebrant either the day before or on the day before the ceremony begins. We will work out the logistics during one of our meetings.
Step 7: Be there on the day
All the other legal steps happen during the ceremony, so at a minimum we just need the two of you, your two witnesses and me to finish the process.
During the ceremony there are key things I have to include to ensure the ceremony meets the minimum legal requirements of Australian Law. This includes stating your full names at least once, speaking the Monitum which is the definition of marriage according to law in Australia and you both need to clearly repeat the legal vows. Once these things have been said in the presence of at least 2 witnesses you are married!
We then record the commitment by signing three pieces of paperwork. Together with your two witnesses we will sign two copies of the Marriage Certificate and the Commemorative Marriage Certificate** (this is the one you take with you on the day).
If either of you are planning to change your name you will need to order a copy of your official Marriage Certificate. I can do this for you during the NOIM process but you can do it any time after your marriage is registered.
To order your copy of the official marriage certificate go to the website of the Birth, Deaths and Marriages in the state your marriage took place, it costs around $55 and it is sent in the post which usually takes two weeks to arrive. You can order an official marriage certificate at any time once your marriage is registered.
So that is it, in it's most simple form. The rest I do - crafting your ceremony, getting to know you. And, yes there are other things you can add into the mix like rings, personal vows, guests and other vendors but it can be super simple!
A Couple of Things to Note:
*A legals only ceremony is where we only say the legal wording required by Australian law and complete the legal paperwork with qualifying witnesses.
**It is important to note that the Commemorative Marriage Certificate is not suitable for use for legal purposes. If either of you is plan on changing your name, you will need a copy of the official Marriage Certificate.
***If you don't have two witnesses available on the day I can help find witnesses for you. Your ceremony witnesses need to be over 18 years of age, and to be able to understand as well as read English. They don't need to be related to you or know you, they just need to be willing to sign a legal document.
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