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The Process and Legal Requirements Getting Married In Australia
Getting married in Australia is a legally defined process under the Marriage Act 1961, accessible to everyone, regardless of citizenship or residency. If you're planning a destination wedding, Australia welcomes you!
The primary requirement is lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form with an authorised marriage celebrant (Johan the Marriage Celebrant and Wedding MC Sydney) at least one month before your intended date. This form needs to be signed by both parties and witnessed by an authorised person, which can even be done overseas at an Australian embassy or consulate. When lodging the NOIM, you'll need to provide original identification documents, such as passports or birth certificates. If either of you has been previously married, documentation proving the termination of that marriage is also necessary. Johan the Marriage Celebrant and Wedding MC Sydney will guide you with the completion of the NOIM.
On your special day, you'll need two witnesses over the age of 18. Johan the Marriage Celebrant and Wedding MC Sydney will guide you through the legally required vows. Following the ceremony, you, your witnesses, and celebrant will sign the marriage certificates. Johan the Marriage Celebrant and Wedding MC Sydney then handles the crucial step of lodging the official paperwork with the relevant state or territory registry for legal registration. Once registered, Johan the Marriage Celebrant and Wedding MC Sydney can apply for your internationally recognized legal official marriage certificate, or you can apply for it directly.
Getting married in Australia is a popular choice for many local and overseas residents. So whether you call Australia home or are dreaming of a beautiful destination wedding, the legal pathway to getting married in Australia is clear and inclusive. Working closely with Johan the Marriage Celebrant and Wedding MC Sydney ensures all requirements of the Marriage Act 1961 are met for a smooth and legally recognised union.
Getting Married In Australia Process Explained In Five Steps
The five steps below outlines the process undertaken when getting married in Australia, which is the same process for everyone regardless of citizenship or residency. Your authorised celebrant will guide you with every step.
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A completed Notice of Intended Marriage form must be given to your celebrant at least one month (and up to 18 months) before the wedding.
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You and your partner must provide your celebrant with evidence of your date and place of birth, identity and the end of any previous marriages.
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You must both sign the ‘Declaration of no legal impediment to marriage’. By signing the Declaration, you declare that you believe that you are of marriageable age, and that there is no legal impediment to your marriage.
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On your wedding day, your celebrant will solemnise your marriage. Your celebrant will then ask you, your partner and your witnesses to sign up to three marriage certificates.
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After your wedding, your marriage celebrant will register the marriage with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory where your marriage took place.
Some Important Things You Need To Know When Getting Married In Australia
The information shared below is referenced directly from the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department webpage 'Happily Ever Before And After' official brochure (extracted on April 2025) for couples planning on getting married in Australia.
Health and welfare benefits
If you receive health or welfare benefits, you will need to contact the relevant agencies to advise them that you have married. These agencies will advise you if your benefits will change. You may lose benefits and even be penalised if you fail to tell them you have married within a reasonable time after the wedding.
Changing your name
Any person who marries may choose to take their spouse’s surname. You are not legally required to take your spouse’s surname once you are married. If you wish to take your spouse’s surname, you must obtain a certificate of marriage issued by your state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This is usually sufficient evidence to have your personal documentation (eg. driver’s licence) changed to your married surname. The certificate you received on your wedding day is ceremonial and will not meet the identity requirements of many government agencies, such as the passport office.
Citizenship
If you marry an Australian citizen, you do not have an automatic right to Australian citizenship. You will still need to apply for citizenship and satisfy the eligibility criteria. You can obtain further information from the Department of Home Affairs website at www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Making a will
Marriage will invalidate any previous wills unless your will clearly shows you were planning this marriage when you made it.
It is important that you make a new will when your personal circumstances change. This ensures that you have a valid will that gives effect to your intentions about how you want your assets to be distributed in the event of your death. A solicitor can help you make or change a will.
Taxation after marriage
When you marry, the amount of taxation you pay may change. It is advisable to contact the Australian Taxation Office, a tax agent or an accountant before marriage to discuss any tax implications.
What Does A Marriage Celebrant Cost?
It’s more important that you lock in the right celebrant that suits your ceremony than it is to try and save $50 or $100 booking the cheapest celebrant. After all, you don’t get married everyday.
Think of your celebrant as your legal representative, because they are the ones responsible for making your marriage legal. A celebrant’s fees can vary (depending on the work detailed) and are booked out very quickly so locking in your celebrant may be one of the first things you should do.
What Does A Wedding MC Cost?
The important role of an MC is to run the formalities of your reception with every department from liaising with the venue (food and bar staff), run times of speeches, guests seating, video/photographer, and all entertainment booked etc. They are there to ensure a smooth running of your entire reception for you, so won’t have to worry about anything, you just continue to enjoy your special day and night.
How Much Does A Wedding Cost In Australia?
Weddings budgets can become expensive. Booking a wedding celebrant that is also a professional MC could be your answer to meet your wedding planning budget.
Enquire about wedding prices and packages with Johan the Celebrant and Wedding MC Sydney to check availability and arrange a face to face meeting (obligation free). You will always receive the highest level of professionalism, friendly, reliable service, discreet, and respectful.
