A notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged with your celebrant a minimum of one month and one day prior to the date of your wedding. This is valid for eighteen months.

Documents required when lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage

A original birth certificate will need to be produced if you were born in Australia. A foreign passport is acceptable if born overseas and your birth certificate is not available.

If either of you have been married before, a divorce decree or a death certificate must be produced as evidence that you are no longer married.

If born overseas and your documents have been lost or destroyed, you can make a Statutory Declaration.

Age Requirements

Both a court order and parents consent are required when one party is under 18 years of age.  Under no circumstances may two people under 18 years of age marry each other.

Two people over the age of 18 must be present to witness your marriage and sign the Marriage Register and Certificates. Both of your witnesses must know the Bride and the Groom.

Marriage and Immigration

Australia’s immigration laws offer visas to foreign people who are in relationships with Australians. However, the rules are very complex. Marriage does not automatically mean that your visa application will be approved.