Planning Your Big Day

Legalities

• The minimum age of marriage is 18yrs.
• Both people need to be legally available to marry without impediment.
• Prohibited relationships do not allow marriage. Those relationships are identified as being between brother and sister, or between a person and an ancestor/descendant of that person. Half blood or adopted relationships are viewed as full blood relationships and couples of the same gender.
• There are instances when someone who is over 16yrs may marry, but only if the partner is over 18yrs. Permission needs to sought from parents/or other authorising bodies.
• Lodgement of the Notice of Intended Marriage, or NIM - requires a minimum notice of 1 calendar month and expires after 18 months.
• The couple are responsible for providing correct information.
• The Marriage Act 1961 requires evidence of place and date of birth of each person marrying. If there are any previous marriages, then a Death Certificate or Decree Absolute/Certificate of Divorce must be produced. Where applicable passports, citizenship documents or Statutory Declarations must be provided.
• Witnesses to the marriage must be over 18yrs.
• Electronic information must be verified by the original documents.

Notice of Intended Marriage

You will need to provide original documentation or certified copies of:

• Full birth certificate.
• Passport if born over seas/visa/citizenship papers etc.
• If appropriate - Change of name documents.
• If appropriate – Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce.
• If appropriate – Death certificate from previous spouse, and
• Any other identification the celebrant needs to complete the application.

Marriage Declaration

A form you will sign prior to the ceremony with your celebrant declaring;

• Your full name.
• Address.
• Occupation.
• Marital status and
• Declaring there is no legal impediment to your marriage with your stated fiancé.

I will guide you through the legal requirements:

• In lodging and submitting documents and
• Within the actual ceremony.