Q 1. What paperwork do we need to fill out and lodge with our celebrant?
Q 2. How far in advance do we need to give notice of our intention to marry?
Q 3. What papers do we need to show our celebrant?
Q 4. What do we do if we haven't lodged our Notice of Intended Marriage form in time?
Q 5. My fiance lives overseas and we want to marry in Australia. What do we do?
Q 6. How old must we be to marry?
Q1. What paperwork do we need to fill out and lodge with our celebrant?
Answer: Notice of your intended marriage must be given in writing
The Australian Law requires that a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form is filled out and lodged with me no less than one calendar month before the ceremony date.E.g. If you plan to marry on the 20/12/13 the NOIM form must be received and lodged with me no later than 20/11/13. It is better not to wait until one calendar month before the ceremony to book your wedding with me as most couples plan their ceremonies well in advance and popular days and times are not always available if you wait.
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Q 2. How far in advance do we need to give notice of our intention to marry?
Answer: At least 1 calendar month.
You are required, according to the Australian Marriage Act 1961, to give 1 calendar month notice of your intention to marry however it is better not to wait until one calendar month before the ceremony to book your wedding with me as most couples plan their ceremonies well in advance and popular days and times are not always available if you wait.
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Q 3. What papers do we need to show our celebrant?
Answer: Birth certificates, divorce papers or death certificate, photo ID.
I will need to see your birth certificates and, if either party has been married before, a divorce certificate or death certificate whichever is applicable.
If one of the parties was born overseas and does not have their birth certificate they can show me their passport from an overseas country.
If documents are in a language other than English they will need to be translated into English by a NAATI accredited translator.
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Q 4. What do we do if we haven't lodged our Notice of Intended Marriage form in time?
Answer: You may need to seek a 'shortening of time'.
Special allowance may be granted for a shortening of time if the couple can prove to the Prescribed Authority that they meet special requirements and circumstances.
You must see me first before attempting to seek a shortening of time.
The reason for seeking a shortening of time must fall within one of these 5 categories before an application can be considered:
- employment related or other travel commitments
- wedding or celebration arrangements or religious considerations
- medical reasons
- legal proceedings
- error in giving notice
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Q 5. My fiance lives overseas and we want to marry in Australia. What do we do?
Answer: Prospective Spousal Visa
If your fiance is a citizen of another country living overseas and you wish to marry in Australia he or she will need to apply for a visa to come to Australia.
It is best to check with The Department of Immigration for the necessary paperwork however you will still need to lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form with me and obtain a letter from me stating that I have received your NOIM.
If you are visiting Australia and intend to marry while you are here you may need to have your registered marriage certificate stamped with an Apostille or Authentication stamp. Ask me for more information.
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Q 6. How old must we be to marry?
Answer: Both the Bride and Groom should be 18 years old or over.
Ask me about what is required if one of the parties is 16 or 17 years old. If both parties are under 18 years old it is not lawful to marry in Australia.
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