South Coast nsw celebrant performing marriage ceremonies

My duty as a celebrant

As a Registered Marriage Celebrant, I am committed to our profession’s Code of Practice which includes:

• providing a high standard of service
• recognising the social, cultural and legal significance of marriage
• guiding you to create a marriage ceremony that meets your needs and expectations
• informing you about family relationship services
• respecting your privacy and confidentiality
• being on time for your ceremony
• ensuring your documents and marriage ceremony are legally accurate.

Click here to see the full copy of the Code of Practice for marriage celebrants.
www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Marriage_Becomingacelebrant_CodeofPractice

Legal requirements for marrying

There are also legal requirements for marrying in Australia under the Marriage Act 1961. I will explain these to you at our first meeting and guide you through them.

A Notice of Intended Marriage form must be completed, signed by both bride and groom, and lodged with your celebrant at least one calendar month and one day, but not more than 18 months, prior to your marriage. This form is usually completed at our first meeting.

To get married in Australia you have to provide the following documents:

• Original copies or an extract of original birth certificates for both the bride and groom
• If you were born outside Australia and cannot produce a birth certificate, you must provide an overseas passport
• Final divorce papers where any previous marriages have ended in divorce
• Evidence of any change of name, if your current name is not the same as shown on your birth certificate eg prior marriage certificate or change of name certificate
• Previous spouse’s death certificate if they have passed away
• Photo ID for confirmation of identity only eg driver’s licence, passport
• A signed declaration stating that there is no legal impediment to your marriage

If either bride or groom is under 18 years of age at the time of the marriage, then consent from your parents or guardians, or a court order, must be obtained. Please note that only one of the party can be under 18, and this party cannot be under 16 years of age. On your wedding day, two witnesses both aged over 18 years of age are required to witness your legal documents.

For more information about the legal requirements for marrying in Australia and to download the Notice of Intended Marriage form, see the Attorney-General’s Department website - http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Marriage