COMMON WEDDING QUESTIONS
LEGAL FAQ
What paperwork is required?
Before the ceremony:
Notice of Intended Marriage – must be lodged with a celebrant one month before the ceremony. We can fill this in together when we meet or you can get it done and send to me! I will need to see your ID at this stage also.
Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage – signed as close to the ceremony date as possible. We will probably do this on the day before the ceremony.
At the ceremony:
Two Official Certificates of Marriage – I send one copy to the Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages and keep one for my records.
Certificate of Marriage - this is your pretty copy to take a photo with! This is not an official marriage certificate, more of a memento. Once I have registered your marriage certificate, you can request an Official Certificate of Marriage - this is what you can use to change your name.
At the ceremony, all documents need to be signed by two witnesses who are both over the age of 18.
Are there Legal Requirements to get Married in AUS?
1. You must not be in a prohibited relationship.
2. You must not be already married.
3. You must both be consenting.
4. You must be over 18 (one of you may be 16 with court consent).
5. You must give at least one month's notice with a Notice of Intended Marriage form. A celebrant handles this for you.
6. You need two people, over 18, to witness your marriage.
7. You need ID that proves your identity and Date and Place of Birth.
What are the Legal Requirements in a ceremony?
There are only a few legal requirements in a ceremony that you must include. Trust me… I am a lawyer…
Other than the below, you're free to do exactly what you damn well, please.
They are:
1. The celebrant must say the Monitum – a legal statement2. You must say a line each – mandatory vows
3. We all sign three marriage certificates ( Two witnesses over the age of 18 must sign as well)
FOR WEDDINGS
How long is a Ceremony?
How long is a piece of string? This is your day, your love story, your choice. If we sprint, we can make it in about five minutes or we can make it a Marriage marathon. Usually, my ceremonies are 20 minutes but I ask you to leave 30 mins in your run sheet!
Can I do Elopements and Surprises?
In Australia, you need to provide at least one month’s notice to your Celebrant and as long as the person you are marrying isn’t the one being surprised, then yes! How fun! I would be thrilled to work with you to create a special ceremony elopement or surprise!
Do I Travel?
Yes! I am based in Newcastle but I am happy to come to wherever your ceremony is held. Hunter Valley, Sydney regions, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Illawarra, North Coast, Northern Rivers, South Coast - any excuse for a getaway! I may charge a travel fee for destinations 50kms outside Newcastle CBD.
When Should I book a Celebrant?
ASAP. All you need to book with the celebrant is your date! Get in touch as soon as you have the date. I would hate for you to miss out because I am booked up. If I am already booked, ask me about some of my epic cele friends!
What if we don’t know what we want or where to start?
No stress. I will come full of questions, ideas, suggestions and examples for us to brainstorm our way to the best ceremony for you!
