Do We Even Need To Do Anything Now We're Engaged?



What You Need To Know About Getting Married in Australia

One of the first questions I get asked after a couple gets engaged is, "What do we actually need to do now?"

The good news? Not nearly as much as you think.

The legal side of getting married is super important, but it's not something you need to stress over. When you book me as your celebrant, I guide you through all of this and make sure everything is completed correctly and on time. You focus on being excited about getting married, and I'll focus on the paperwork.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Marriage in Australia?

In order to get married in Australia, you must:

Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage Form with your celebrant;

Not already be married to someone else;

Not be in a prohibited relationship (parent, grandparent, sibling etc.);

Be of marriageable age; and

Consent to and understand what marriage is.

Easy enough, right?

Now let's talk about the forms.

Before the Ceremony

Form #1 – Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

Fondly referred to as the NOIM by celebrants!

This form forms the basis for all of your legal paperwork and, as the title suggests, is a notice of your intended marriage.

This is by far my favourite form to fill out because every couple gets so chuffed after they've signed. It's the first of a few forms you'll sign to make your marriage legal. The way couples look at each other, smile and nod, just gets me every time.

Honestly, it's super easy to fill out. We usually catch up over a coffee or wine, fill it out together and I witness your signatures. I do need to sight evidence of your name and place of birth, but I'll dive into all the logistics when we meet.

And if you're not local, no worries, we can do it via an online video platform.

The NOIM is required to be lodged with your celebrant no later than one month before your intended marriage date and no earlier than 18 months before.

You don't need to hold onto it either – I do all of that for you.

Voila, first form done!

Form #2 – Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marry (DONLIM)

Yep, another form and another acronym.

This form is signed before the ceremony and confirms that you meet the legal requirements for marriage and that there is no reason you can't legally get married.

I usually get couples to sign this form during a separate consent meeting or right before the ceremony.

Easy done.

On the Day

Form #3 – Official Certificates of Marriage

And there are two of these!

Legally, we need to sign two official certificates of marriage on the day.

Traditionally, one stayed with the celebrant and the other was sent to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). These days, celebrants lodge everything electronically through the BDM online portal, so the process is a little different.

It's a bit outdated in parts, but they'll catch up eventually.

To complete the legal paperwork, you'll also need two witnesses who appear to be over 18 years of age. They must be present during the ceremony and hear the ceremony take place.

Form #4 – The Commemorative Form 15 Marriage Certificate

Ahhh, the pretty one!

This is the certificate you receive on the day. It's official, it's beautiful and it's usually the one that ends up framed or tucked away somewhere safe.

What it can't do, however, is help you change your name. For that, you'll need to apply for the official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages after your marriage has been registered. And, wink wink if you hire me as your celebrant - I organise this for you too! 

Also worth knowing – if your Form 15 is lost or damaged, it can't be replaced, so take good care of it.

After the Wedding

Honestly?

Nothing.

Just kick back, enjoy your honeymoon and enjoy being married.

After the ceremony, I lodge all the paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages, so you don't need to do a thing.

Once your marriage has been registered and you've received your official marriage certificate, you can go for gold and start changing your name on all the important things if that's what you're planning to do.

Long Story Short...

The legal side of getting married can sound like a lot when it's all written down like this, but honestly, it's one of the easiest parts of wedding planning when you've got a celebrant guiding you through it.

My job is to make sure everything is completed correctly, lodged on time and legally compliant.

Your job is to enjoy being engaged, get married and soak up every moment of the day.

Long story short? Hire me as your celebrant and I'll make sure it's all taken care of legally, professionally and stress-free.