Civil ceremonies are marriages which are non-religious and conducted by the celebrant in Australia.
An initial short interview of 1/2-1 hour is offered to meet each other and discuss your wedding plans, ceremony ideas and the legal procedures to marry in Australia
As your marriage celebrant I require certain information and proof of identity to lodge and complete a 'Notice of Intended Marriage' (NOIM or NIM) form and a lodgement fee of $200 is payable at this time. This notice is then valid for a period No less than one calendar month and a day prior to the wedding date and a maximum period of 18months.
Age-
- You both must be over the age of 18 years.
- If one person is under the age of 18 years you will need parent consent, fill out required forms and apply for a court order under Section 12 of the Marriage Act, for a Judge/Magistrate to approve them. However this is rarely granted.
Born in Australia-
- Must produce original copy of Birth Certificate.
- Application forms, cost and delivery time for Birth Certificates are available from The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. Call: 1300 655 236 TTY: 9354 1371 Internet www.bdm.nsw.gov.au
Born outside Australia-
- Current overseas passport OR
- Must produce original copy of Birth Certificate or extract translated in English
- If you are now an Australian Citizen and hold an Australian Passport you must apply to your country of birth for birth certificate. If you cannot obtain one you may complete a Statutory Declaration and state the reason why you cannot obtain a birth certificate.
- A certified copy properly witnessed by Justice of the Peace or Solicitor stating that they have sighted the original is acceptable but the original copy must be produced prior to marriage.
Previously Married:
Divorces in Australia-
- 'Certificate of Divorce'
- 'Decree Nisi of Dissolution of Marriage' is sufficient for lodging the Notice of Intended Marriage. A decree nisi does not mean a marriage is finally dissolved.
- 'Decree Absolute' is the document that MUST be produced prior to a marriage being solemnised.
- Lost Certificate - approach Family Court for a copy of the Decree
Divorces in an Overseas Country -
- 'Divorce document' from the country in which the divorce took place
Evidence of Death -
- In Australia - 'Death Certificate' of former spouse
- Overseas Country - evidence of death whose spouse died in an overseas country.
Overseas Couples wishing to Marry in Australia -
- Proof of Identity requirement listed above. On arrival in Australia I will need to sight all the original copies of proof of identity prior to marriage.
- To be married on a Fiance or Spouse Visa - I can arrange a 'Letter for Immigration'
- Notice of Intended Marriage form is available from the Australian High Commission, Embassy of the Australian Foreign Affairs in your country of residence or I can email this form to you.
This form can be completed and signed in the presence of an Australian Diplomatic/Consular Officer. As soon as this is completed you need to mail it or fax to me for lodgement. It cannot be lodged in your country of residence. - After your marriage you will need to apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages in Sydney to obtain a copy of a 'Standard Marriage Certificate' which may need to be stamped by the Department Foreign Affairs in Australia. You need to obtain the Apostle stamp in Australia if you live in a European or Asian country so that your marriage can be registered in your own country of residence. Each country has their own procedure so check with the consulate before leaving the country. I can arrange all this for you or you can do this yourselves, but you must allow a couple of days in Sydney after the wedding.
- All documents must be in English. Or you will need to get the documents translated by an accredited translator.
- Please email or phone me for availability of date and time, costs of fees and any further information required.
Contact Me for further information.