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This information is correct regardless of who is getting married or who the priest/celebrant is.

 

The laws of Australia are very specific when it comes to being married. You will need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage giving notice prior to your ceremony of at least one clear month.

 

Once lodged, the notice is valid for a period of 18 months. A Birth Certificate or (in the case of persons born outside Australia) current passport or Naturalisation Certificate will need to be presented before the marriage can take place. These documents must be sighted, and duly noted on the notice, by your celebrant.

 

If lodgement is made from overseas, a faxed copy can be sent, however particular Australian Officers (as noted in the Marriages Act) must witness these. We will send you a list of these people if you need them. Your celebrant must sight the originals of all documents before the ceremony can take place. (If these documents are issued in a country where English is not the official language, officially translated copies may be presented).

 

Where there has been a previous marriage, either a Decree Absolute of Divorce, or Death Certificate (if your previous partner is deceased), is required. All documents should be in English. (If these events took place in a country where English is not the official language, officially translated copies may be presented).

 

Under Section 12 of the Marriage Act, a Court Order, and the consent of a parent is required if either person is under 18 years of age.