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Never Validly Married (the legal term for single) |
For Australian born clients I am required to view your original birth certificate. If you were born overseas then your birth certificate or your current overseas passport will suffice. |
| Divorced | As above plus your original Decree Absolute (final divorce papers). |
| Widow/Widower | As above plus the original Death Certificate of deceased spouse. |
Loss of Birth Certificate: If born overseas and your birth certificate, passport and other relevant records have been misplaced or destroyed, this can be overcome by completing a Statutory Declaration. I am able to assist you with this process. If you are Australian-born a Statutory Declaration is not acceptable. You will need to obtain an extract of your Birth Certificate from the registry of Births Deaths and Marriages. |
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Age Requirements: To be married in Australia you must be over the age of 18 years. In Extenuating circumstances you can apply for permission from a Judge, however this is rarely given. |
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Notice of Intended Marriage: A “Notice of Intended Marriage” form is required to be completed and lodged with your celebrant at least one month and one day prior to the wedding date and no more than eighteen months prior to the wedding date. You can obtain a “Notice of Intended Marriage” form from me or at an Australian Embassy, Australian High Commission or on-line at http://www.ag.gov.au/celebrants following the links. |
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Questions and Answers |
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Is it possible for us to be married in Sydney when we arrive from overseas? (please refer to section Legal Requirements) |
YES Provided you have filled out all the necessary documentation within the specified time, and have all your legal paperwork. |
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When we arrive in Australia can we be married anywhere we like? |
YES There are no restrictions on where you are married but some venues e.g. parks etc. need to be booked and paid for in advance. |
| Can we be married at any time of the day or night? | YES Some couples like to watch the sun set and some like to watch it rise – any time is legal time in Australia. |
| Are we able to wear any type of clothing for our wedding? | YES Provided your attire is appropriate, there are no specific requirements. |
| Can you write the entire wedding ceremony for us. | YES I am able to write the entire ceremony, however, I will ask for your input to make it specific and special to the two of you. |
| Can we write our own ceremony? | YES However, there are some legal requirements to your wedding ceremony which must be included to ensure that the marriage is legal in Australia. |
| Can we be married if we are under 18 years of age? | YES If permission is granted by a Judge and this will not be given if both parties are under the age of 18. |
| Will our wedding in Australia be recognized world-wide? | YES |
| Does a bride have to take her groom’s surname? | NO This is personal choice and not a legal requirement. |
| How many witnesses do we have to have at our wedding ceremony? | TWO And they must both be over the Age of 18. |
| Can a witness be related i.e. mother, father, sister etc. | YES Any person, related or not, over the age of 18. |
| Does a bride have to be given away? | NO |
| Can a bride be given away by whomever she chooses? | YES You can have anyone give you away, even your children of any age. |
| Is it necessary for us to both have a wedding ring? | NO Rings are not a legal requirement. |
| If our papers are in a foreign language, do we need to have them translated into English? | YES This must be done by a certified interpreter. |
| If my fiancé does not speak English, do I need an interpreter | YES A certified interpreter must be present at the ceremony if either one of you does not speak English. |
| Are you able to give us any assistance or advice on choices of venues, locations, photographers, wedding cars, stationery suppliers, florists, etc? | YES Please feel free to speak to me about this. |