Before

To legally marry in Australia, you need to lodge a Noticed of Intended Marriage form with your celebrant between one and 18 months, before your intended wedding day. To do this, you need your passports, and driver's license. Or birth certificate and driver’s license. Passports can be expired. If either of you have been married before, you will also need relevant documentation to show how your last marriage(s) ended. 

On the day

On the day of the wedding you will sign two certificates that need to be witnessed by myself and two people who are over the age of 18. These people can be family, or from overseas. Your next door neighbours, or the person who makes your coffee in the morning. I just need their full names and to know their understanding of English is comprehensive. If it’s not, that’s also ok. They will need a translator on the day and to sign a stat dec stating they have faithfully fulfilled their obligations.

After

From the moment you have said your vows and signed your certificates in front of myself and your witnesses, you are legally married. Hooray! After the ceremony, I will then send your paperwork to Births, Deaths and Marriages for them to register.

You will need to apply through BDM for an official marriage certificate. This serves as legal proof of marriage for things like; changing your name, tax, buying a house etc. In Victoria, the cost is around $55. Wait times vary and are updated frequently. Since this is the least fun part of organising your wedding, most people tend to put it out of their minds. For this reason, I will advise you how to apply for your certificate after your ceremony. 

For more information about preparation for marriage please visit:

http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/family-and-community/relationships/getting-married

Alternatively, drop me a line and we can chat.

Image: https://www.mattgodkin.com/weddings