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Getting
Married in Australia
Written by
Charles Foley
Although
Australia has six states, two territories and several island
protectorates the marriage law is the same nationwide.
The couple must fill out a Notice of Intended Marriage form.
This can be obtained from an Authorized Celebrant (Civil or
Religious) or from a Births, Deaths & Marriages Registry Office
in a State or Territory's capital city. (A Civil Celebrant can
fax a copy to you). It can be filled out and witnessed outside
of Australia. It may be filled in by only one of the parties to
be valid. The other partner can sign later. It must be filled in
and given to the celebrant at least a month before the ceremony
unless a shortening of time is obtained. The celebrant can tell
you how to get a shortening if required.
There is no blood test in Australia and cousins can marry each
other. There is a nominal lodgement fee and the celebrant will
tell you how much they charge for the ceremony and travel. Most
Civil Marriage Celebrants charge about $200. Original Birth
Certificates or Passports must be sighted and if you have been
married before, then an original death certificate or a final
divorce paper must be seen to show how last marriage ended.
A Civil Marriage Celebrant can marry couples anywhere, anytime.
Civil ceremonies are mostly outdoors. Hot air balloons, the
bush, on a beach or a boat, anywhere you can imagine is
possible! Two witnesses over 18 are also required but there is
no time limit on how long they have known you. It could be just
the two witnesses, the couple and the celebrant. Immediately at
the end of the ceremony you get a beautiful Marriage Certificate
with the Australian official seal at the top. (yes there's a
kangaroo and an Emu on it!)
You can create your own ceremony and it can be as short as
several sentences or as long and elaborate as you require. Most
Civil Marriage Celebrants will help you create your own ceremony
with beautiful vows and romantic readings. CD's or taped music
can be played or live musicians are available. Some Civil
Celebrants even have wedding gowns available (something
borrowed...). Rings are not legally required.
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