Minimum legal requirements for Registry Style Ceremony
A Notice of Intention to Marry (NOIM) signed by at least one party no less than 1 month and 1 day and no more than 18 months before the ceremony. Identification must be presented in the form of the following showing date and place of birth Passport Drivers Licence Proof of Age Card Birth Certificate Along with any divorce and death certificates. Dates and places of last previous marriage. If these documents are not in English an official translated copy will be required. If either party do not understand English an accredited interpreter will be required for the ceremony at own cost.
On the Wedding Day The Marriage Celebrant should identify themselves. Declaration of no legal impediment to marriage form must be filled in before the Ceremony (form 14).
Two witnesses over the age of 18years are needed. They do not have to be Australian Citizens. All parties and witnesses must not be intoxicated otherwise the ceremony may need to be postponed. The marriage celebrant should state to the parties, and at least two witnesses: I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
Party 1 says : I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, [Party 1 full name], take you, [Party 2 full name], to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/partner for life.
Party 2 says : I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, [party 2 fullname], take you, [party 1 full name], to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/partner for life.
The marriage celebrant to complete, both parties and two witnesses to sign: Form 15: Certificate of marriage given to the parties. Form 16: Marriage certificate for the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry Marriage Registry: for Celebrant’s legal registry.
Celebrant then registers the marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages and provides the couple with registration no for the wedding. Couple can then contact Births, Deaths and Marriages form for official document.