Overseas Visitors Wishing to Marry in Australia

Australia is a beautiful wedding destination and I would love to help you plan your wedding here in this wonderful country

On 7 December 2017, the Australian Parliament passed the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 to change the definition of marriage and provide for marriage equality in Australia. The right to marry in Australia will no longer be determined by sex or gender.

What you need to do:

• Contact me to discuss your plans and make an appointment date to meet with me, to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage, when you arrive in Australia
• You must satisfy all the Legal Requirements for marriage in Australia, including lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage at least one calendar month and no longer than 18 months, before the wedding day. The date of your wedding can be changed, within this time frame
• The Notice of Intended Marriage can be witnessed at an Australian Embassy in your country
• Bring with you to the meeting all documentary proof of identity required
• Pay the booking fee for your ceremony (this fee is non-refundable and includes the cost of completing the Notice of Intended Marriage)

You both need to be:

• Not already married, either to each other or some other person
• Able to freely consent to the marriage
• Over 18 years of age
• Not in a prohibited category of relationship (by blood or adoption)
• Capable of understanding the ceremony, therefore
• both parties and the witnesses must be sober
• if the bride, groom or a witness is not fluent in English an official interpreter must be present to interpret. It is your responsibility to organise this
• if one of the parties is hearing impaired a sign language interpreter is required
• Able to say your vows out loud or through a sign language interpreter and understand the legal component of the ceremony Please refer to Legal Requirements

You both need to provide:

• Original proof of identity documents (see below)
• Proof that you are free to marry if you are divorced or widowed (see below)
• Properly notarised translations of any documents not in English using a NAATI translator
• two witnesses at least 18 years of age who are capable of understanding the nature and legal ramifications of the ceremony (they do not need to be Australian citizens)
• The following ORIGINAL documents because without them you will NOT be able to be married. Photocopies are not acceptable
  • Proof of name and birth (If not an Australian citizen then your passport is acceptable)
  • Photographic evidence of identity - one of these is acceptable: a driver's licence,a proof of age/photo card, an Australian or overseas passport or a Certificate of Australian Citizenship along with another form of photo ID
  • Original divorce decree (if applicable)
  • Original death certificate for a former spouse (if applicable)
  • Documentary evidence of any change of name
  • Notarised official English translations by a NAATI translator, of any of these documents that are in another language

You do NOT need:

• to be resident in Australia for any length of time
• to remain in Australia for any length of time after the wedding
• to be an Australian citizen
• to participate in pre-marriage education, every couple will be given the government pamphlet, Happily Ever - Before and After, by their Celebrant
• blood tests
• a medical examination
• a certificate of no impediment of freedom to marry, from your country
• identification documentation about your parents
• consent of parents or guardians if you are over 18
• to make your intention to marry public
• to marry with "open doors" as in England. Therefore your wedding can be very private
• to change your name

Apostilles and Authentications:

Australia is a signatory to The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirements of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. This means that where your government requires proof that Australian documents are genuine before they will accept them, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will certify that official signatures, stamps or seals on a document are genuine by checking them against a specimen held on file, and stamping the document with an Apostille or Authentication. If this is required by your home country please go to the Australian Government DFAT website to apply.You will require an official registered copy of your marriage certificate for this purpose and a small fee is payable. If you were married in Queensland please go to Births, Deaths and Marriages Qld to apply.

Australia is a beautiful and relaxed country. It would be my pleasure to assist you in arranging your special day in this amazing country. With the modern means of communications today this process is very simple and can easily be done from a distance.