marriage paperwork: what you need to say i do

wedbykez.com
kez is a young marriage celebrant based in Newcastle, NSW
info@wedbykez.com

The difference between a "having a wedding" and "getting married" is as different as chalk and a well aged Casu Marzu (Sheep milk cheese riddled with live insect larvae - eeeeewwww)

Getting married, in the legal sense can be much like renewing your registration at the RTA. So this blog is about all the behind the scenes paperwork that soon-to-weds might not know about before they say I do.

Consider this a quick guide to what you need.

If you are both born in Australia, over 18 and have never been married before :

You will need your original birth certificates (not copies or extracts). These can be obtained from Births, Deaths and Marriages for a fee.

If you are both born in Australia, over 18 and have been married before :

You will need your original birth certificates (not copies or extracts). These can be obtained from Births, Deaths and Marriages for a fee.

You will also need your proof of your divorce. This may be a Certificate of Divorce, a Degree of Nullity or if your divorce was finalised before July 2002 you will need the Decree Absolute.

If you are both born in Australia and one, or both, are under the age of 18

You will need your original birth certificates (not copies or extracts). These can be obtained from Births, Deaths and Marriages for a fee.

Signed consent from a Parent(s), Guardian or prescribed authortity as per the Marriage Act 1961

If one, or both, are born outside Australia and are both over the age of 18

You will need your original birth certificates (if available). If it is not possible, through reasonable means, to get these documents an overseas passport can be used.

In the event an overseas passport cannot be produced the person(s) must signed a statutory declaration.

It is not possible to use Australian Passports or citizenship papers if the person(s) have since become Australian citizens.

As you can see - the paperwork behind getting married can be quite complicated. Talk through your situation with your celebrant and they will assist you as best they can with getting all your paperwork together so your big day is hassle free.

When your ready to complete your Notice of Intended Marriage check here