WHAT ARE OUR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS?

Before you can be married you will need to complete and lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage form with a marriage celebrant. This needs to be completed at least a month and a day prior to your wedding and is valid for 18 months.

I am required to sight the following documents:

• If born in Australia - original birth certificate.
• If born overseas - original birth certificate or overseas passport.
• If either of you have been previously married - original divorce papers (certificate of divorce or decree absolute) or death certificate of a previous spouse.

It is possible to shorten the minimum notice time for a marriage to less than a month if special circumstances are met. After meeting me to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage form, you will need to approach a Prescribed Authority for approval. Prescribed authorities (usually at your Local Court or Registry officials) can shorten the required period of notice if they are satisfied that circumstances prescribed in the regulations are met. There are five categories of circumstances:

1. Employment related or other travel commitments.
2. Wedding or celebrant arrangements, or religious considerations.
3. Medical reasons.
4. Legal proceedings.
5. Error in giving notice.

Both individuals must be over 18 years of age and the marriage needs to be witnessed by two witnesses who are also over the age of 18.

You will also need to sign declarations stating that there is no legal impediment to your marriage.

WHAT IF WE ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF NSW, AUSTRALIA?

Many interstate and overseas couples choose to be married near Sydney Harbour and on the beautiful Northern Beaches. I would be very happy to assist you in planning your special day here in Australia.

It is a very simple process to be married in Australia by a civil celebrant. Your wedding can be organised while you are still in your home country. All arrangements can be made by telephone, email or fax.

After your wedding you will need to obtain a Marriage Certificate from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. In order for your marriage to be recognised in your country of residence, you may need to organise an Apostille stamp from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Sydney.

If you are an Australian marrying a partner born overseas, who is applying for a prospective spouse or fiancé visa, I am happy to provide you with a letter for the appropriate Australian embassy advising them of your intention to marry, once you have completed and lodged a Notice of Intended Marriage with me.

Please feel free to call or email me for more information.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Forms

• Notice of Intended Marriage Form
  
• Application for NSW Birth Certificate
  
• Application for NSW Marriage Certificate
  

Government Contacts

• Australian Government Attorney General’s Department - Marriage Celebrants Section
  
• NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
  
• Family Law Court – Divorce Certificates
  
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Authentications and Apostilles
  
• Department of Immigration and Citizenship
  
• Code of practice for marriage celebrants
  
• Making a complaint about a marriage celebrant
  
• Shortening of time - List of Prescribed Authorities NSW
  

Local Councils

• Pittwater Council
  
• Warringah Council
  
• Manly Council
  
• City of Sydney Council
  

Marriage Relationship Education

• Family Relationships Online – An Australian Government Initiative
  
• Relationships Australia
  
• Interrelate
  
• Anglicare
  
• Centacare
• Relationships Declaration Program - City of Sydney Council