Marriage FAQS how to marry in Australia – Frequently Asked Questions.
How do we get married – where do we start? You are about to plan one of the most exciting events in your life! There are many questions relating to the how’s as to where to start, as a Marriage Celebrant I will answer some of the more commonly asked questions
What do we need to do first? The first step is to meet – to ensure everyone is comfortable and relaxed with each other. There is no obligation nor fee for this meeting. Once appointed your Notice of Intended Marriage (NIM) will be completed.
Do we need to give you any notice before we can marry? Yes by law you are required to give a minimum of one calendar month’s notice. For example, if you complete the NIM on March 15, your marriage may take place on, or after, April 15.
Do we require any identification? Absolutely! If you were born in Australia your original birth certificate (or original Extract of Birth) AND photographic ID (such as your Driver’s Licence) OR a current Australian or International Passport must be sighted prior to your marriage being solemnised. To apply for a new Birth Certificate you simply need to contact The Registry of Birth Deaths and Marriages in the State in which you were born.
But one, or both of us was born overseas, what form of identification do we need? If you were born overseas, your original birth certificate, in English (translated by a NAATI accredited translator) and photographic ID OR an original, valid overseas passport is acceptable
My first husband has passed away and my fiancé is divorced – do we need any proof of this? Again, yes! In any situation where a Divorce or Death is relevant, you will need to provide evidence before your marriage is solemnised by providing your ex-husband’s original Death Certificate and your fiancé’s original Divorce Paper
Can we complete The Notice of Intended Marriage (NIM) prior to having the original documents that a Marriage Celebrant needs to sight? Yes! Although your original ID, divorce, death documents will need to sighted prior to officiating at your ceremony, even as late as the rehearsal
My fiancé is overseas and won’t be in Queensland until two days before our wedding, what should we do? It’s not a problem at all, in this situation you can complete the NIM and have it signed by one party only, as long as you remember this must be a minimum of one calendar month prior to your ceremony. Your fiancé’s acceptance will be obtained by phone or email and then your fiancé can sign the NIM and have their original documentation sighted when they arrive in Queensland.
We are both interstate/overseas at the moment and won’t be returning to Queensland until a few days before our wedding. What should we do? Your NIM can be emailed. Once you have completed the NIM and have it signed before an authorised witness, you need to arrange to have the original NIM scanned and emailed, again, allowing for the minimum one month’s calendar notice. On your arrival, your original identification documents will be sighted and your signatures verified as received on the NIM. We would then communicate by email or telephone to prepare all the components of your ceremony.
Do we need anyone else to sign anything at our wedding ceremony? Yes, you’re required, by law, to have two witnesses who must be 18 years of age, or over.
What if immigration is an issue? One of you must complete the NIM. If your partner is in the process of submitting a Prospective Marriage Visa application, you will be provided with the necessary letter for the Department of Immigration.
If you require advice or further information regarding any aspect of holding your Moreton Bay wedding, simply contact me by phone or by email as I would love to hear from you and please remember that advice is always obligation free