Legal Wedding Requirements in Australia: Steps with Sydney Celebrant - Nitza

Nitza Lowenstein
Nitza Lowenstein Marriage Celebrant
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Legal Wedding Requirements in Australia: Steps with Sydney Celebrant

Weddings & Fees ►
Legal Requirements to Marry in Australia 📜
The legal requirements for marriage in Australia are straightforward and easy to understand. ✅
  • Age Requirement: Both parties must be at least 18 years old; however, those aged 16 to 18 require court approval. 👰🤵
  • Consent: Both parties must freely consent to the marriage; no one can be legally married under duress. 🤝
  • Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM): You must complete and lodge the NOIM form at least one month before the wedding. 📝
  • Identification: Valid identification is required, such as a passport or birth certificate. 📖
  • Capacity to Marry: Both individuals must not be legally married to someone else and must be mentally capable of understanding the nature of marriage. 💍
  • Witnesses: At least two witnesses must be present during the ceremony, and they must be over 18 years old. 👥
Lodgement: Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) 📝
To marry in Australia, you must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with me, Nitza, at least one month before your ceremony. This form is valid for up to 18 months. If you need to shorten the NOIM period due to special circumstances, please contact me for assistance. 📅

Download the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) 📥
https://www.ag.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/notice-of-intended-marriage.PDF

If you can’t attend an interview to lodge your NOIM, you can scan and email or mail the form to me. You can sign it on-line in front of me on FaceTime.
Contact me for detailed instructions. 📬
Lodging Your NOIM
Once I receive your NOIM via email (scanned copy) or by mail, it will be lodged immediately. ✅
If you are in Australia, I can witness your NOIM online via FaceTime. 📱
Acceptable witnesses for the NOIM include a JP, lawyer, doctor, or police officer. 👩‍⚖️👨‍⚕️
If You Are Outside Australia 🌍
Witnesses can be an Australian consular officer at the Australian Embassy or Consulate in your country or a notary public. You will need to provide your birth certificates or passports for identification. 🌏
Identification Requirements
    • Present your passport or full birth certificate along with a driver’s license for photo ID. 📖
    • If you don’t have a passport or birth certificate and were born in Australia, you can apply for one from the Registry of Births. 🏛️
    • If you were born overseas and lack these documents, you can complete a statutory declaration in my presence, supported by a passport or naturalization certificate. ✍️
If Previously Married
If you have been previously married, you must provide evidence of the termination of that marriage, such as a death certificate (if widowed) or the original final divorce papers. 💔
Application to Shorten NOIM Period
The Registrar can only consider applications to shorten the NOIM period under specific circumstances, such as:
  • Employment-related or travel commitments ✈️
  • Wedding or celebration arrangements or religious considerations 🎉
  • Medical reasons 🏥
  • Legal proceedings ⚖️
  • Celebrant error in giving notice ❌
Please contact me if you think you are eligible to apply for a shortened NOIM period; I am here to help. 🤗
The Wedding Day 💖
On your wedding day, both parties (bride and groom, or parties in a same-sex marriage) will declare and sign that they are over the age of 18 and not legally married to anyone else. I will also ensure that your official marriage certificate is checked for any errors, guaranteeing that it is 100% correct. ✔️

During the ceremony, I will conduct a legal marriage ceremony, allowing you to exchange vows and, if desired, wedding rings. Please note that exchanging rings is not compulsory. 💍

I will remind all guests that this is a legal ceremony and will read the Monitum, as required by law. The words I will use are:
“I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I must remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship you are about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.” 💬

After the ceremony, the Certificate of Marriage will be signed by the bride, groom, two witnesses (who must be over 18), and myself. A witness can be anyone over 18, even a non-Australian citizen. 🖊️

At the conclusion of the ceremony, I will present the Commonwealth of Australia Certificate of Marriage to the couple. 🎓

After the Marriage: Registration & Your Registry Marriage Certificate
Your marriage will be registered on the day of the wedding, as I am authorized to conduct e-marriages online with the NSW Registry office. This means:
  • Your wedding registration will be completed the same day, preventing any loss of documents in the mail.
  • You will be able to apply online for your Registry certificate immediately after registration.💻
    I can apply for your Registry Certificate on your behalf when I register your wedding, using my credit card to cover the costs.💳

Apply for Your Marriage Certificate
Standard Certificate: $67 (subject to change)
  • Priority Service: $99
  • Standard & Commemorative Certificate: Approximately $97
  • Standard & Commemorative Certificate with Priority Service: Approximately $115
    All prices include postage and handling. For international post, add $11.

NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages Contact Information:
Sydney CBD: 35 Regent Street, Chippendale | Tel: 137788 or 1300629736 (near Central Station)
  • Parramatta: 160 Marsden St, Parramatta NSW
    Apply for your Marriage Certificate
    https://www.nsw.gov.au/births-deaths-marriages/apply-for-certificates-online
    https://onlineforms.bdm.nsw.gov.au/application/marriage_details

Additional Information:
The Marriage Act is a federal law, and you will receive the Commonwealth of Australia Marriage Certificate from me.
After your marriage is registered, you can apply for an official certificate from the state registry.
Common Question: How do I change my name after my wedding?
Your Registry certificate serves as your name change certificate. Present it to local authorities and the Passport office to obtain a new driver’s license or passport with your married name. Note that you can apply for a replacement passport in your new name free of charge.
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