Photo: Stephen Blakeney
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Before a marriage ceremony can be solemnized, the bride and groom needs to decide where the marriage will occur and whether the ceremony will be a religious or civil event. Both forms of ceremony are recognised as legal marriages by Australian law.
A Notice of Intended Marriage must be completed and lodged with the person who is going to perform the ceremony (proposed celebrant) at least one calendar month, but no more than 18 months, before the preferred date of marriage. The notice is obtained from the proposed celebrant.
The bride and groom must show the proposed celebrant documentary proof that they are 18 years old or older. That proof must be a birth certificate if born in Australia. If born outside Australia, you are required to show your birth certificate or valid overseas passport from your country of birth.
You can lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage in person, via fax or mail and you must bring the original Notice with you when we meet and I must sight your birth certificates or passports. I need to receive the appropriately witnessed Notice at least one month and one day prior to the wedding. You can lodge this with me up to 18 months in advance of the wedding.
If you have been previously married, you must show your Divorce Decree Absolute or a Death Certificate of a previous spouse.
You are required to have two witnesses to the ceremony – this can be arranged for you, if you are coming from overseas and do not have friends or family in Western Australia.
If you are bringing your partner into Australia on a prospective spouse visa I can provide you with the necessary letter for the Immigration Department.
The marriageable age in Australia is 18 years for both men and women. Marriage of somebody who is 16 years but less then 18 years is possible only if the person they are marrying is 18 years or older. In this situation, parental consent and a judge or magistrate's order are required for the minor. Two people under 18 years of age cannot marry each other.
