Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961
for authorised celebrants
© Australian Government July 2018
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RECORD OF UPDATES
Version Date Released Pages Affected Comment
1.0 February 2012 All Initial release.
2.0 July 2014 All Updated to take into account amendments
made by the Marriage Amendment
(Celebrant Administration and Fees) Act
2014, the Marriage (Celebrant Registration
Charge) Act 2014 and the Marriage
Amendment (Fees and Charges) Regulation
2014, and other amendments.
3.0 April 2018 All Updated to take into account:
• amendments to the Marriage Act 1961
to implement marriage equality, which
commenced on 9 December 2017
(amendments made by the Marriage
Amendment (Definition and Religious
Freedoms) Act 2017)
• changes arising from the
commencement of the Marriage
Regulations 2017 on 1 April 2018.
4.0 July 2018 All Updated to reflect feedback received from
celebrants, their representatives and other
stakeholders during the May-June 2018
public consultation.
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CONTENTS
RECORD OF UPDATES 2
CONTENTS 3
ABOUT THESE GUIDELINES 13
USING THESE GUIDELINES 14
1.1
THE ROLE OF CELEBRANT 15
1.2
LIMITS OF YOUR ROLE 15
PART 2 MARRIAGE IN AUSTRALIA 16
2.1
THE SOLEMNISATION OF MARRIAGES IN AUSTRALIA 16
2.2 THE
DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE UNDER THE MARRIAGE ACT 16
2.3
WHO CAN MARRY IN AUSTRALIA 16
2.3.1 What is required to legally marry in Australia? 17
PART 3 AUTHORISED CELEBRANTS 18
3.1
WHO CAN SOLEMNISE MARRIAGES UNDER THE MARRIAGE ACT? 18
3.2
MINISTERS OF RELIGION OF RECOGNISED DENOMINATIONS 19
3.2.1 What is a recognised denomination? 19
3.2.2 Solemnisation of marriages by ministers of religion of recognised denominations 20
3.3
STATE AND TERRITORY OFFICERS 20
3.4
COMMONWEALTH-REGISTERED MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS 20
3.4.1 Solemnisation of marriages by Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants 21
3.4.2 Religious marriage celebrants 21
PART 4 SOLEMNISING MARRIAGES AND COMPLETING OFFICIAL MARRIAGE FORMS 22
4.1
REQUIREMENTS BEFORE SOLEMNISING A MARRIAGE 22
4.2
NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE 22
4.2.1 How can a celebrant obtain a Notice of Intended Marriage? 22
4.2.2 When the NOIM must be received 23
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4.3 AUTHORISING MARRIAGE WHERE NOIM IS GIVEN WITH LESS THAN THE REQUIRED NOTICE
TIME – ‘SHORTENING OF TIME’ 23
4.3.1 When can a prescribed authority consider a shortening of time request? 23
4.3.2 If a couple wants their marriage solemnised less than one month after the celebrant
receives the NOIM 24
4.3.3 Cases which fall within the circumstances when a shortening of time may be granted 24
4.3.4 The sort of material that the prescribed authority will require to consider the application 24
4.3.5 Prescribed authority granting a shortening of time 25
4.4
THE ONE MONTH NOTICE PERIOD 25
4.4.4 When does the one month period commence? 25
4.4.1 What does giving the notice ‘not later than one month before the date of the marriage’
mean? 26
4.4.2 How do the parties give the notice if they are overseas or interstate? 27
4.4.3 Original NOIM unavailable 27
4.5
COMPLETING THE NOIM 27
4.5.1 What if a party does not know the information required in the NOIM? 28
4.5.2 Parents’ names 28
4.5.3 Completing item 17 on the NOIM – children of previous marriage 28
4.5.4 Recording the marriage rites on the NOIM 29
4.5.5 NOIMs containing false statements 29
4.5.6 What happens to the NOIM after a marriage? 29
4.5.7 Recording the names of the parties on the NOIM 30
4.5.8 Generally the name on a person’s birth certificate should be recorded on the NOIM 30
4.5.9 When can a person use a different name in the NOIM to the name on their birth certificate? 31
4.5.10 Refusal by a person to use the name on their birth certificate 32
4.6
A PARTY HAS DIFFERENT NAMES IN THE DOCUMENTS THEY PROVIDE TO ESTABLISH THEIR
DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH AND THEIR IDENTITY 32
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4.7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – NAMES ON NOTICES OF INTENDED MARRIAGE AND ON
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES 33
4.7.1 Frequently asked questions 33
4.8
TOTAL PERIOD OF RESIDENCE IN AUSTRALIA 40
4.9
SIGNING AND WITNESSING THE NOIM 40
4.9.1 Who may witness a NOIM signed in Australia? 41
4.9.2 Who may witness a NOIM signed outside Australia? 42
4.9.3 What is a Notary Public? 42
4.9.4 A person overseas is finding it difficult to locate a person from the required category to
witness their signature on the NOIM 42
4.9.5 Corrections of errors on the NOIM 43
4.10 EVIDENCE
OF DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH 43
4.10.1 An official certificate of birth or an official extract 44
4.10.2 If a birth certificate does not have a registration number 45
4.10.3 A passport issued by the Australian Government or the government of an overseas country 45
4.10.4 A statutory declaration 45
4.11
ESTABLISHING THE CONJUGAL STATUS OF THE PARTIES TO THE MARRIAGE – ITEMS 7 AND
19 OF THE NOIM 46
4.11.1 Evidence of death of former spouse 47
4.11.2 Evidence of divorce 48
4.11.3 Receiving the NOIM if a divorce is pending 48
4.11.4 Evidence of divorces granted in Australia 48
4.11.5 Evidence of divorces granted overseas 49
4.11.6 Annulment 51
4.12
ESTABLISHING IDENTITIES OF THE PARTIES TO THE MARRIAGE 51
4.13
MARRIAGE EQUALITY 52
4.13.1 Sex and gender 53
4.13.2 Advertising 54
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4.14 DECLARATION OF NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT 54
4.15
MARRIAGE EDUCATION AND COUNSELLING 55
4.16
OBTAINING A TRANSLATOR OR INTERPRETER 56
4.17 E
LECTRONIC SIGNATURES ON MARRIAGE DOCUMENTS 57
4.18
ACCURACY OF FORMS BEFORE THE MARRIAGE IS SOLEMNISED 57
4.19
CASE STUDIES IN THE CORRECT USE OF DOCUMENTS 57
PART 5 MARRIAGE CEREMONY 60
5.1
TIME AND PLACE 60
5.2
MARRIAGES TO BE SOLEMNISED BY AN AUTHORISED CELEBRANT 60
5.2.1 Availability of celebrant 61
5.2.2 Transferring the NOIM in exceptional situations 61
5.3 INVOLVEMENT
OF OTHERS IN MARRIAGES SOLEMNISED BY MINISTERS OF RELIGION 63
5.4
INVOLVEMENT OF OTHERS IN MARRIAGES SOLEMNISED BY AUTHORISED CELEBRANTS WHO
ARE NOT MINISTERS OF RELIGION 63
5.5
CONTENT OF THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY – SECTIONS 45 AND 46 OF THE MARRIAGE ACT 64
5.6
EXPLAINING THE NATURE OF THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP – ‘MONITUM’ – SUBSECTION
46(1) OF THE MARRIAGE ACT 65
5.6.1 Which celebrants are required to say the words in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act? 65
5.6.2 Why is using the wording in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act so important? 66
5.6.3 Can someone else participating in the ceremony say the words? 66
5.6.4 When and how should the words be used? 66
5.6.5 Can the wording in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act be changed or varied in any way? 66
5.6.6 Couples express their disagreement with the definition of marriage and request that it be
changed 67
5.6.7 Can the sentences of subsection 46(1) be separated? 68
5.7
FORM OF CEREMONY – VOWS – SECTION 45 OF THE MARRIAGE ACT 68
5.7.1 Subsection 45(1) – marriages solemnised by ministers of religion – religious ceremonies 68
5.7.2 What if the couple would like to change the form of a religious ceremony? 69
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5.7.3 Subsection 45(2) – non-religious (or civil) ceremonies 69
5.7.4 Why is using the minimum vow wording so important? 69
5.7.5 What are the words in subsection 45(2)? 70
5.7.6 Who must say the vows? 70
5.7.7 Can the couple personalise the vows? 70
5.7.8 What names should be used in the vows (meaning of the terms ‘A.B.’ and ‘C.D.’)? 71
5.7.9 The saying of vows in situations where a person is unable to speak 71
5.7.10 What are the consequences if the requirements of section 45 are not satisfied? 72
5.8
WITNESSES 72
5.9
INTERPRETERS 72
5.9.1 Witnesses to the marriage to also act as interpreter 73
5.9.2 Certificate of faithful performance 73
PART 6 MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES 74
6.1
HOW MANY MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES MUST A CELEBRANT PREPARE AND SIGN? 74
6.1.1 Can a celebrant provide a couple with a souvenir certificate as well as the official
certificate? 75
6.2
THE OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE, SENT TO THE BDM FOR REGISTRATION 75
6.3
THE SECOND OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE KEPT BY THE CELEBRANT OR THE CHURCH 75
6.3.1 Second official certificate – requirements for ministers of religion 76
6.3.2 Second official certificate – requirements for celebrants who are not ministers of religion? 76
6.3.3 Second official certificate – requirements for celebrants who are State and Territory
Officers? 76
6.4
FORM 15 CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE GIVEN TO THE PARTIES 77
6.4.1 What is a celebrant required to do with the Form 15 marriage certificate? 77
6.5
RECORDS A CELEBRANT MUST KEEP FOR THE FORM 15 MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (RECORD OF
USE FORM) 77
6.5.1 What date should a celebrant record on the record keeping form for the Form 15 certificate
of marriage? 78
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6.5.2 What should a celebrant do if Form 15 certificates of marriage are lost or stolen? 78
6.5.3 What is the purpose of celebrants recording what happens to each Form 15 certificate of
marriage they are issued? 78
6.5.4 When must celebrants provide their record keeping forms for Form 15 certificates of
marriage? 79
6.6
NAMES ON MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES 79
6.7
RECORDING THE MARRIAGE RITES ON THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES 80
6.8
SIGNING THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES 80
6.8.1 Can other people (in addition to the two witnesses) add their signature to the parties’ (Form
15) certificate of marriage? 81
6.8.2 Can the children of one or both of the parties add their names to the parties’ certificate of
marriage? 81
6.9
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE THREE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES AFTER THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY 81
6.10 CORRECTION
OF ERRORS IN THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES 82
6.11
LOST CERTIFICATES 82
PART 7 REGISTERING THE MARRIAGE 83
7.1 M
ARRIAGE AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 83
PART 8 ESTABLISHING THAT THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE WILL BE VALID 84
8.1
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH THAT THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE IS VALID 84
8.1.1 Consequences for an invalid marriage 84
8.2 GROUNDS
ON WHICH A MARRIAGE MAY BE VOID 85
8.2.1 Prior undissolved valid marriage 85
8.2.2 Why is it important to establish that neither party is lawfully married to another person at
the time of the marriage? 85
8.2.3 How does a celebrant establish that a party is not still married? 86
8.3
PARTIES IN A PROHIBITED RELATIONSHIP 86
8.3.1 What about adoption? 86
8.3.2 Examples of prohibited relationship situations 87
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8.4 MARRIAGE INVALID DUE TO FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 48 OF MARRIAGE ACT 87
8.5
THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES IS NOT REAL CONSENT 88
8.5.1 Why is it important to check that a person is giving real consent to a marriage? 88
8.5.2 Doubts about whether a party is consenting or capable of consenting to the marriage? 88
8.5.3 When is consent to a marriage not real consent? 89
8.6
HOW CAN A CELEBRANT ASSESS WHETHER A PERSON’S CONSENT IS REAL? 89
8.6.1 Speak to the party in the absence of any other party 89
8.6.2 Speak to third parties 90
8.6.3 Keep detailed records 90
8.6.4 Concerns about consent 90
8.6.5 Capacity to understand the nature and effect of marriage 91
8.6.6 Identifying consent issues 91
8.7
MARRIAGEABLE AGE IN AUSTRALIA 92
8.8
REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE OF A MINOR – WHEN ONE PARTY IS AGED 16-18 YEARS 92
8.8.1 The minimum requirements 92
8.8.2 First requirement – court order 93
8.8.3 What will the Judge or magistrate consider when making the decision? 94
8.8.4 Second requirement – consent 94
8.8.5 How may a person who is illiterate or a person with a disability consent? 95
8.8.6 What happens if a parent or guardian cannot be contacted to give consent? 96
8.8.7 What should a celebrant do if asked to marry a couple one of whom is underage? 96
8.8.8 How can a celebrant ensure they are not marrying a couple when one party is not of
marriageable age? 96
8.8.9 What must a celebrant forward to the BDM after a marriage in which one of the parties is
under marriageable age? 97
PART 9 FOREIGN MARRIAGES 98
9.1
LEGAL RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN MARRIAGES IN AUSTRALIA 98
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9.2 EXCEPTIONS TO RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN MARRIAGES 98
9.2.1 Recognition in Australia of overseas marriage where one/both parties are underage 99
9.3
EVIDENCE OF FOREIGN MARRIAGE 99
9.4
MARRIAGES SOLEMNISED OVERSEAS BY CHAPLAINS AND DEFENCE FORCE OFFICERS 100
PART 10 SECOND MARRIAGE CEREMONIES 100
10.1
SECOND MARRIAGE CEREMONY – DOUBT AS TO THE VALIDITY OF PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
CEREMONY 101
10.2
SECOND RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE CEREMONIES 102
PART 11 OTHER MATTERS 103
11.1
SURPRISE WEDDINGS 103
11.1.1 What is a ‘surprise wedding’? 103
11.1.2 Would such a marriage be valid? 103
11.1.3 Accepting a NOIM in a surprise wedding scenario 103
11.1.4 If you are asked to solemnise a surprise wedding 104
11.2 POP-UP
WEDDINGS 104
11.3
CEREMONIES AS PRIZES 104
11.4
FEES FOR SOLEMNSING MARRIAGES 105
11.5
STATUTORY DECLARATIONS 105
11.6
COMMITMENT CEREMONIES 105
11.7
RENEWAL OF VOWS CEREMONIES 106
11.8
ARE CELEBRANTS OBLIGED TO SOLEMNISE ANY MARRIAGE? 106
11.9
PRIVACY 107
11.10
COPYRIGHT AND MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS 107
11.10.1 Playing music at weddings 107
11.10.2 Reproducing poetry or literature 107
11.10.3 Reading or reciting an extract from a book 108
11.10.4 Reproducing hymn or song lyrics in wedding booklets 108
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11.10.5 Filming wedding ceremonies 108
11.10.6 Moral rights 108
PART 12 OFFENCES 109
12.1
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CELEBRANTS TO KNOW ABOUT OFFENCES UNDER THE
MARRIAGE ACT 109
12.2
OFFENCES RELEVANT TO CELEBRANTS 109
12.2.1 Section 99 – solemnising marriage where notice or declaration not given or made etc 109
12.2.2 Section 100 – Legal impediment 110
12.2.3 Section 101 – Solemnisation of marriage by unauthorised person 111
12.3
OFFENCES RELEVANT TO COUPLES 111
12.4
OFFENCES RELATING TO FORCED MARRIAGE 112
12.5
OFFENCES RELATING TO STATUTORY DECLARATIONS 113
PART 13 REGISTERING AND RETIRING AS A CELEBRANT 114
13.1
MINISTERS OF RELIGION 114
13.1.1 Authorisation of ministers of religion from recognised denominations to solemnise
marriages 114
13.1.2 Grounds for refusing to register a minister of religion from a recognised denomination to
solemnise marriages 114
13.1.3 Grounds for removing a minister of religion of a recognised denomination from the register
of ministers of religion 115
13.2
COMMONWEALTH-REGISTERED MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS 116
13.2.1 Obligations of Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants 116
13.2.2 The Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants 117
13.2.3 Ongoing professional development 118
13.2.4 Informing the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants of changes to personal circumstances 119
13.2.5 Performance reviews 119
13.3
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES 120
13.4
RETIRING FROM THE ROLE OF COMMONWEALTH-REGISTERED MARRIAGE CELEBRANT 121
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About these guidelines
These guidelines apply to all authorised celebrants who solemnise marriages in Australia, unless
otherwise stated. These guidelines also contain an outline of the process for recognition of overseas
marriages (see Part 9.1
of the guidelines).
The purpose of the guidelines is to assist authorised celebrants understand the requirements for
solemnising marriage under the Marriage Act.
Only people who are legally authorised may solemnise marriages. The three categories of
‘authorised celebrant’ under the Act are:
1. Ministers of religion who are registered by the States and Territories to solemnise
marriages for a recognised denomination.
These are referred to as ‘category A’
authorised celebrants. This category of authorised celebrants have a registration
number beginning with a letter that relates to the state or territory in which they were
registered (such as ‘W’, ‘S’, ‘V’, ‘N’)
2. State and Territory Officers—staff of Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) or
court officers—who are authorised to solemnise marriages as part of their employment.
These are referred to as ‘category B’ authorised celebrants.
3. Marriage celebrants registered by the Commonwealth under the Marriage Celebrants
Programme. These are referred to as ‘category C’ authorised celebrants. This includes
marriage celebrants who perform religious ceremonies (whether or not they are also
designated as ‘religious marriage celebrants’) and marriage celebrants who perform civil
marriage ceremonies (whether or not they are designated as ‘religious marriage
celebrants’). Marriage celebrants in this category have a registration number beginning
with the letter ‘A’.
− Religious marriage celebrants are a subcategory of Commonwealth-registered marriage
celebrants under Subdivision D of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act (category D
celebrants). In order to become a religious marriage celebrant, a person must first be a
marriage celebrant registered by the Commonwealth.
Chaplains of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), and ADF marriage officers, who solemnise
marriages overseas under Part V of the Marriage Act are also authorised celebrants under the Act.
These guidelines do not apply to marriages solemnised by chaplains of the ADF or ADF marriage
officers.
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Using these guidelines
Electronic versions of the Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations 2017 are available on the Federal
Register of Legislation (www.legislation.gov.au).
Important: The Marriage Regulations 2017 commenced on 1 April 2018. The new regulations repeal
and replace the Marriage Regulations 1963.
Contact the department
If you cannot find the information you need in these guidelines you may wish to contact the
department for guidance.
You may contact the department by:
• Emailing the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants at
marriagecelebrantssect[email protected]ov.au
•
Calling 1800 550 343
between 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-5.00pm Monday-Friday (local Canberra time).
If you seek information relating to the registration of a marriage or the lodgment of paperwork
relating to a marriage, contact the relevant state or territory registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
(BDM) in the state or territory where the marriage took place.
Contact details for the BDMs are available from the australia.gov.au
website.
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Part 1 INTRODUCTION
These guidelines provide essential information for celebrants on the solemnisation of marriages in
Australia under the Marriage Act and the Marriage Regulations.
The material provides best practice guidance on the solemnisation of marriage in Australia and
celebrants are expected to familiarise themselves with the information in this document. The
following material is provided on the understanding that the department is not providing
professional legal advice on any particular matter. The department can only provide guidance on the
requirements of the legislation.
1.1 THE ROLE OF CELEBRANT
Authorised celebrants have an important role not only because of the legal consequence of
marriage, but also because of its central significance to the parties, both individually and as a couple.
As an authorised celebrant, it is critical to your role to make sure that everything is done according
to the Marriage Act and the Marriage Regulations, and that all necessary steps are taken to ensure
the marriage will be valid.
You need to be committed to keeping up-to-date and ensure that you follow any changes to the law
or recommended best practice. The best way to remain informed about changes to the law or
practices is to:
• have access to and refer to the latest copy of the Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations
• have access to and refer to the latest copy of the guidelines
• read the advice provided by the Marriage Celebrants Programme (via email, newsletters and
fact sheets); and visit the ‘Marriage’ pages on the department’s website
on a regular basis.
1.2 LIMITS OF YOUR ROLE
It is important that you understand the boundaries of your role as a celebrant. It is not your role to:
• assist couples with migration matters (not only may you mislead people in this complex
area, but it may be an offence for a person who is not a registered migration agent to do
this)
• obtain documents, or
• be involved in any legal matter concerning any party’s relationships or past marriages, or
obtain court orders.
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PART 2 MARRIAGE IN AUSTRALIA
2.1 THE SOLEMNISATION OF MARRIAGES IN AUSTRALIA
Marriage in Australia is regulated by the Marriage Act and the Marriage Regulations. The
department administers this legislation. All marriages in Australia must be conducted in accordance
with this legislation. The legislation specifies the requirements for the marriage ceremony, as well as
matters that arise before and after the ceremony.
The Marriage Act applies to Australian external territories – Christmas Island, Norfolk Island and the
Cocos (Keeling) Islands (section 8 of the Marriage Act). The Marriage Act does not apply to the
Australian territory in the Antarctica.
2.2 THE DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE UNDER THE MARRIAGE ACT
On 9 December 2017, the Marriage Act was amended to provide for marriage equality in Australia.
The Marriage Act defines marriage as ‘the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily
entered into for life’.
1
In a marriage ceremony, all celebrants (other than ministers of religion of
recognised denominations (category A celebrants) and ADF chaplains and marriage officers) are
required to inform the parties to the marriage of the nature of marriage according to Australian law,
in the terms set out in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act.
For further information on this requirement, see Part 5.6 of these guidelines.
2.3 WHO CAN MARRY IN AUSTRALIA
Parties to a marriage do not have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia to
legally marry in Australia.
All celebrants should recommend that foreign nationals check with authorities in their own countries
prior to entering into a marriage in Australia. Some overseas countries do not recognise a marriage
entered into in Australia as valid, unless other requirements, such as the prior granting of permission
from that country’s embassy, are fulfilled. This can have implications for foreign nationals who
intend to return to their country following a marriage.
In cases where a marriage involves an Australian citizen and a foreign citizen, celebrants should
recommend that parties obtain advice about immigration issues from the Department of Home
Affairs or a registered migration agent. Details of registered migration agents can be found on the
Migration Agents Registration Authority
website. For further information on the recognition of
foreign marriages in Australia, see Part 9 of these guidelines.
1
Subsection 5(1) of the Marriage Act 1961 (the Marriage Act).
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2.3.1 What is required to legally marry in Australia?
To be legally married in Australia, a person must:
• not be married to someone else
• not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling
• be at least eighteen years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where one party is
aged between sixteen and eighteen years old
• understand what marriage means and freely consent to marrying
• use specific words during the ceremony
• give written notice of their intention to marry to their celebrant, within the required time
frame.
Parties to the marriage should contact a celebrant directly to make arrangements for their proposed
marriage. The names and contact details of authorised celebrants (except for ADF chaplains and
officers) are available from the department’s website – see ‘Find a marriage celebrant
’.
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PART 3 AUTHORISED CELEBRANTS
3.1 WHO CAN SOLEMNISE MARRIAGES UNDER THE MARRIAGE ACT?
The Marriage Act provides for three categories of authorised celebrants who may solemnise
marriages within Australia:
1. Ministers of religion of recognised denomination who are registered under Subdivision A
of Division 1 of Part IV of the Act (category A celebrants) – see Parts 3.2 and 13.1
of
these guidelines.
2. State and Territory Officers authorised by virtue of Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part IV
of the Act (category B celebrants) – see Part 3.3
of these guidelines.
3. Marriage celebrants registered by the Commonwealth under the Marriage Celebrants
Programme who are registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Act
(category C celebrants). This includes marriage celebrants who perform religious
ceremonies (whether or not they are also designated as ‘religious marriage celebrants’)
and marriage celebrants who perform civil marriage ceremonies (whether or not they
are also designated as ‘religious marriage celebrants’). Marriage celebrants in this
category have a registration number beginning with the letter ‘A’;
Religious marriage celebrants are a subcategory of Commonwealth-registered marriage
celebrants under Subdivision D of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act (category D
celebrants). Designation as a ‘religious marriage celebrant’ enables the celebrant to
lawfully refuse to solemnise a marriage if the celebrant’s religious beliefs do not allow
the celebrant to solemnise the marriage (it does not mean they do, or only, perform
religious marriage ceremonies). Between 9 December 2017 and 9 March 2018, all
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants, excluding ministers of religion
2
, were
able to nominate for recognition as a religious marriage celebrant based on their
religious beliefs. All Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants who were ministers
of religion and perform ceremonies on behalf of an independent religious organisation
(that is not a recognised denomination), whose registration was current immediately
before 9 December 2017, were automatically listed on the register of marriage
celebrants as ‘religious marriage celebrants’. From 9 March 2018 onwards, only
ministers of religion, registered under the Marriage Celebrants Programme, can
nominate for recognition as a religious marriage celebrant.
2
A minister of religion means a person recognised by a religious body or a religious organisation as
having authority to solemnise marriages in accordance with the rites or customs of the body or
organisation (section 5 of the Marriage Act).
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Where the term ‘Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants’ is used in these
guidelines, the information only applies to both marriage celebrants (category C) and
religious marriage celebrants (category D).
Ministers of religion authorised under subdivision C of the Marriage Act must meet the
registration requirements for a marriage celebrant registered by the Commonwealth. In
addition, they must also provide evidence to the Registrar establishing that they are
authorised by an independent religious organisation to solemnise marriages in
accordance with the rites or customs of that religious organisation. Ministers of religion
include, for example, Pastors, Reverends, Sheiks and Imams from independent religious
organisations that are not a recognised religious denomination (for a list of recognised
denominations proclaimed for the purposes of the Act see the
Marriage (Recognised
Denominations) Proclamation 2007 (as amended)) Further information is also provided
at Part 3.2 of these guidelines.
The Marriage Act also provides for authorised celebrants who may solemnise marriages outside of
Australia in accordance with Part V of the Marriage Act:
1. A chaplain of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), or
2. An officer of the ADF authorised by the Chief of the Defence Force to solemnise
marriages.
Further information on the categories of authorised celebrants is provided below.
3.2 MINISTERS OF RELIGION OF RECOGNISED DENOMINATIONS
3.2.1 What is a recognised denomination?
For a person to be eligible for registration as an celebrant under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV
of the Marriage Act, the religious body or organisation of which the person is a minister of religion
must be a ‘recognised denomination’ – see the fact sheet
for further information.
A recognised denomination is a religious body or organisation that has been proclaimed by the
Governor-General under section 26 of the Marriage Act. Proclamation of a religious body or
organisation as a recognised denomination is for the purposes of solemnising marriages in
accordance with the Marriage Act only and does not confer any other status.
Ministers of religion of recognised denominations who are authorised to solemnise marriages may
solemnise marriages according to the form and ceremony recognised as sufficient for the purpose by
the religious body or organisation of which they are a minister.
3
The Marriage (Recognised Denominations) Proclamation 2007
lists all religious organisations
recognised for the purpose of the Marriage Act.
3
Subsection 45(1) of the Marriage Act.
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A current list of ministers of religion of recognised denominations who are authorised to solemnise
marriages is kept in accordance with section 115 of the Marriage Act and published on the
department’s website
.
3.2.2 Solemnisation of marriages by ministers of religion of recognised
denominations
A minister of religion of a recognised denomination may solemnise marriages anywhere in Australia,
including outside the state or territory in which they are registered.
4
Where a marriage is solemnised
by a minister of religion of a recognised denomination, the minister may use the form and ceremony
recognised as sufficient by the denomination.
5
Such celebrants are not authorised to solemnise
ceremonies other than for the recognised denomination and in accordance with the rites or form
and ceremony recognised by that denomination. A registration under this category confers no
authority to solemnise ceremonies of a minister’s own devising. Therefore any deviation from a form
of ceremony recognised by the religious organisation needs to be approved by the religious
organisation concerned.
A minister of religion of a recognised denomination is not under any obligation to solemnise any
marriage, and may impose additional requirements (such as attendance at services or church
counselling) as a condition of solemnising the marriage.
6
3.3 STATE AND TERRITORY OFFICERS
State and Territory Officers who may solemnise marriages are:
• officers who, under the law of a state or territory, have the function of registering marriages
solemnised in that state or territory,
7
and other officers of the state or territory who have
been authorised by the Attorney-General.
8
State and Territory Officers are generally staff of BDM Registries and Registrars of local courts.
State and Territory Officers may solemnise marriages in their work premises or another location
agreed by the parties.
3.4 COMMONWEALTH-REGISTERED MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants are registered by the Registrar of Marriage
Celebrants. The Registrar is an officer of the Attorney-General’s Department. Information about how
to become a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant, including the application fee and annual
registration charge, the qualification/skills required, and the factors the Registrar of Marriage
4
Section 32 of the Marriage Act.
5
Subsection 45(1) of the Marriage Act.
6
Section 47 of the Marriage Act.
7
Subsection 39(1) of the Marriage Act.
8
Subsection 39(2) of the Marriage Act.
21 | Page
Celebrants must consider in determining whether a person is a fit and proper person to be a
celebrant can be found at Part 13.2 of these guidelines, and on the department’s website
.
3.4.1 Solemnisation of marriages by Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants
A Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant may solemnise marriages anywhere in Australia,
including outside the state or territory in which they reside. Most Commonwealth-registered
marriage celebrants perform civil ceremonies to solemnise marriage.
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants may also solemnise marriage performing religious
ceremonies for an independent religious body or organisation that has not been proclaimed as a
recognised denomination, subject to the agreement of that religious body. See Part 3.2
of these
guidelines for information on recognised denominations.
The Registrar of Marriage Celebrants requires that a person seeking to be a
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant who wishes to solemnise religious ceremonies must
meet certain requirements, including providing a letter of authorisation from their religious
organisation.
3.4.2 Religious marriage celebrants
‘Religious marriage celebrants’ are registered under Subdivision D of Division 1 of Part IV of the
Marriage Act. The amendments to the Marriage Act, which commenced on 9 December 2017,
created this new subcategory of marriage celebrant.
Marriage celebrants who were registered as a minister of religion, and whose registration was
current on 8 December 2017, were automatically identified as a religious marriage celebrant on the
register of marriage celebrants. New marriage celebrants who are ministers of religion, and who are
registered after 8 December 2017 can choose to be identified as a ‘religious marriage celebrant’ on
the register of marriage celebrants.
Marriage celebrants who solemnise civil marriage ceremonies (and who are not a minister of
religion), and whose registration was current on 8 December 2017, were able to elect whether to be
identified as a religious marriage celebrant on the basis of their religious beliefs. On and from
9 March 2018, persons who are registered as a marriage celebrant to perform civil ceremonies (and
who are not a minister of religion) will not have access to the religious marriage celebrant
subcategory. More information is available on the ‘New subcategory of religious marriage
celebrants’ fact sheet
.
22 | Page
PART 4 SOLEMNISING MARRIAGES AND COMPLETING
OFFICIAL MARRIAGE FORMS
4.1 REQUIREMENTS BEFORE SOLEMNISING A MARRIAGE
Marriages solemnised in Australia can only be solemnised where:
1. a Notice of Intended Marriage has been given to the celebrant within the required notice
period (discussed in Part 4.2.2
of these guidelines)
2. each party has produced the following documents to the celebrant, evidence of:
─ date and place of birth (discussed further in Part 4.10
of these Guidelines)
─ identity (discussed further in Part 4.12 of these guidelines)
─ the termination of any previous marriage, where relevant (discussed further in
Part 4.11
of these guidelines)
3. each party has made a declaration as to their belief that there is no legal impediment to the
marriage (discussed further in Part 4.14
of these guidelines), and
4. the celebrant is satisfied that the marriage will be valid, including that each party has given
real consent (discussed further in Part 8.5
of these guidelines).
The celebrant must ensure that information about marriage education and counselling is made
available to the parties to the marriage (discussed further in Part 4.15
of these guidelines).
The marriage celebrant obligations checklist (see – Celebrant obligations when solemnising
marriages) outlines celebrants’ obligations when solemnising a marriage and is a useful tool for
celebrants to ensure that they have completed all required documents and steps when solemnising
a marriage under the Marriage Act.
4.2 NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE
Section 42 of the Marriage Act requires the parties to an intended marriage to give the celebrant at
least one month’s written notice prior to the solemnisation of the marriage. This notice is known as
the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM).
4.2.1 How can a celebrant obtain a Notice of Intended Marriage?
The form of the NOIM has been approved by the Attorney-General.
9
Copies of the NOIM are
available on the Attorney-General’s Department’s website and can also be purchased from
CanPrint
Communications.
9
See paragraph 119(3)(c) of the Marriage Act.
23 | Page
The NOIM must be completed according to the instructions on the form.
Authorised celebrants must not agree to marry a couple with less than one month’s notice (unless a
shortening of time has been approved by an prescribed authority) or falsify the dates on the NOIM
to make it appear as if one month’s notice was given. Subsection 99(1) of the Act provides that
authorising a marriage in contravention of the requirements in section 42 of the Act is an offence.
For further information on offences, refer to Part 12
of these guidelines.
4.2.2 When the NOIM must be received
The NOIM must be given to the celebrant no earlier than 18 months and no later than one month
before the date of the marriage.
10
A notice expires after 18 months, and a marriage must not be
solemnised if the NOIM was received more than 18 months before the date of the proposed
marriage. Parties are encouraged to produce their evidence of date and place of birth as well as
evidence of identity and the end of any previous marriage (if relevant) at the time of giving the
NOIM. However, these documents may be produced at any time before the marriage is solemnised.
For the purposes of complying with the timeframes required for giving the NOIM, it is sufficient for a
celebrant to sight scanned (emailed) or faxed copies of the documents at the time of giving the
NOIM, provided the originals are sighted by the celebrant before the marriage is solemnised.
4.3 AUTHORISING MARRIAGE WHERE NOIM IS GIVEN WITH LESS THAN
THE REQUIRED NOTICE TIME – ‘SHORTENING OF TIME’
A prescribed authority may authorise a marriage to be solemnised despite the celebrant receiving
the NOIM within one month of the date of the marriage.
11
A list of prescribed authorities is
published on the Attorney-General’s Department’s
website.
4.3.1 When can a prescribed authority consider a shortening of time request?
The five circumstances in which an application for shortening of time may be considered by a
prescribed authority are set out in Schedule 3 to the Marriage Regulations.
These are limited to:
1. employment-related or other travel commitments
2. wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious considerations
3. medical reasons
4. legal proceedings, or
5. an error in giving notice.
10
Paragraph 42(1)(a) of the Marriage Act.
11
Subsection 42(5) of the Marriage Act and Schedule 3 to the Marriage Regulations.
24 | Page
4.3.2 If a couple wants their marriage solemnised less than one month after the
celebrant receives the NOIM
If the parties to an intended marriage have not provided the NOIM to the celebrant with the
minimum one month’s notice, they will need to apply to a prescribed authority for authorisation
before the celebrant can make or confirm any arrangements to marry them.
When a celebrant is asked to reduce the minimum notice period for the NOIM, the celebrant must
ensure that the NOIM is in order and then refer the party or parties with the notice to a prescribed
authority. The celebrant should explain the following key points to the couple:
• the reason for seeking a shortening of time must fall within one of the prescribed categories
(described above, at 4.3.1
) before the application can be considered
• a prescribed authority has no discretion to grant a shortening of time outside the
circumstances covered by these categories
• the granting of a shortening of time is not automatic
• a prescribed authority may charge an application fee – celebrants should suggest that the
couple check if a fee is charged when making an appointment with a prescribed authority.
The celebrant should also advise the parties to the marriage to make an appointment with the
prescribed authority and to take the completed NOIM and any other documentary evidence to
prove why they require a shortening of time (for example, medical certificates or a travel itinerary).
This is the only circumstance in which a celebrant can release the completed NOIM to the parties to
the intended marriage. Parties must return the NOIM to the celebrant after a shortening of time is
obtained.
4.3.3 Cases which fall within the circumstances when a shortening of time may be
granted
Schedule 3 to the Marriage Regulations provides examples of each of the sets of circumstances.
Whether a particular situation falls within one of these is a matter for the prescribed authority, not
the celebrant, and the department is not able to provide advice on particular situations.
4.3.4 The sort of material that the prescribed authority will require to consider the
application
The Marriage Regulations list a number of matters the prescribed authority may take into account,
and material they may request, when making the decision. Celebrants should advise couples to
compile this material before approaching the prescribed authority.
The material should include a letter from a medical practitioner if the couple is seeking a shortening
of time on medical grounds, or receipts for payments or wedding invitations if the circumstance is
25 | Page
wedding or celebration arrangements. The prescribed authority will consider the dates payments
were made or invitations sent, to gauge the genuineness of the need to shorten time.
If the circumstance relates to relocation for employment the prescribed authority will seek evidence
of the date on which the applicant was informed of the posting or employment relocation, as
opposed to the date on which the posting is to commence (unless the posting or employment
relocation has been brought forward).
Error in giving notice relates only to error on the part of the celebrant, not the couple. For example,
the celebrant may not have fulfilled their obligation to explain the notice requirements properly.
Error in giving notice also includes invalid, stale or lost NOIMs. An example of an invalid notice would
include a NOIM given to a person who was not a celebrant. A reference to a lost NOIM refers to a
notice that has been lost by the celebrant, not the couple.
4.3.5 Prescribed authority granting a shortening of time
If the prescribed authority is satisfied that the relevant circumstance for shortening the notice
period to less than one month has been met, they will make a note in the box provided at the foot of
the NOIM on page four, sign it, add their designation and the words ‘Prescribed Authority’ and write
the date. The original NOIM should then be given by the parties to the celebrant before the marriage
is solemnised.
4.4 THE ONE MONTH NOTICE PERIOD
4.4.4 When does the one month period commence?
The one month notice period begins when the couple gives the celebrant the completed and signed
NOIM. It does not commence when the couple book the marriage with the celebrant or pay a
deposit.
The one month notice period can also begin when the celebrant is given a completed NOIM signed
by one party to the intended marriage (which must include all the relevant information of both
parties giving notice). This situation only arises when the signature of the other party cannot
conveniently be obtained at least one month prior to the proposed ceremony, for example, where
one party is overseas. The NOIM can be given when signed by only one of the parties to the
proposed marriage provided the other party signs the NOIM in the presence of the celebrant before
the marriage is solemnised. The celebrant must be satisfied that the party who has not signed the
NOIM has a genuine reason for not being able to do so at the time, is fully aware of the marriage and
that their documents are in order. Celebrants should exercise caution in these situations as a party
to a marriage may attempt to use this exception for a ‘surprise wedding’. For further information on
surprise weddings, see Part 11.1
of these guidelines.
When a celebrant receives a NOIM, they must write the date on which the NOIM was received in the
space provided.
26 | Page
For further information on how to calculate the one month period, see Part 4.4.1 of these
guidelines.
4.4.1 What does giving the notice ‘not later than one month before the date of the
marriage’ mean?
Subsection 2G(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901
provides that (subject to a contrary intention) in
any Act, month means a period starting at the start of any day of one of the calendar months; and
ending immediately before the start of the corresponding day of the next calendar month, or if there
is no such day – at the end of the next calendar month.
The relevant parts of section 2G are set out below, including examples.
The term ‘month’ is defined in subsection 2G(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901
as follows:
(1) In any Act, month means a period:
(a) starting at the start of any day of one of the calendar months; and
(b) ending:
(i) immediately before the start of the corresponding day of the next calendar
month; or
(ii) if there is no such day—at the end of the next calendar month.
Example 1: A month starting on 15 December in a year ends immediately before 15 January in the
next year.
Example 2: A month starting on 31 August in a year ends at the end of September in that year
(because September is the calendar month coming after August and does not have 31 days).
Subsection 36(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act deals with how time periods are calculated and
includes a table to show how different scenarios are to be interpreted in Commonwealth Acts and
provides examples.
The relevant parts of section 36 are set out below, including examples.
(1) A period of time referred to in an Act that is of a kind mentioned in column 1 of an item in the
following table is to be calculated according to the rule mentioned in column 2 of that item:
Calculating periods of time
Column 1 Column 2
Item If the period of time: then the period of time:
… … …
7
is exp
ressed to end before a
specified day
does not include that day.
27 | Page
Example: If a person must give a notice to another person at any time during the period of 7 days
before the day a proceeding starts and the proceeding starts on 8 May, the notice may be given at
any time during the 7 day period starting on 1 May and ending on 7 May.
4.4.2 How do the parties give the notice if they are overseas or interstate?
Where the parties will be overseas or interstate until a time that is less than one month before the
marriage, they may send a copy of the NOIM and supporting documents to the celebrant by post,
(scanned) email, or fax. It is not acceptable for a celebrant to accept a NOIM and/or supporting
documents via videoconferencing services such as Skype. Actual documentation must be received by
the celebrant. The celebrant should recommend that if the NOIM is to be posted it should be sent by
some form of registered post.
It is recommended that couples send photocopies of their supporting documents with the NOIM
when they post them from overseas or interstate. If there are any potential problems with, for
example, divorce papers or death certificates, the celebrant will be able to advise the couple of this
before they arrive for the marriage.
The celebrant will need to obtain the original NOIM from the parties and sight the original
supporting documents relating to evidence of date and place of birth, identity and evidence of the
end of a previous marriage (if relevant) prior to solemnising the marriage. This means the parties will
need to bring these original documents with them when they meet the celebrant.
4.4.3 Original NOIM unavailable
Where the original NOIM cannot be obtained, for example because it has been lost by the couple,
consideration should be given to whether there is enough time to complete a new NOIM or a
shortening of time could be sought.
Solemnising a marriage without the original NOIM should only be a last resort in the most extreme
of circumstances. In such circumstances it may be acceptable for the celebrant to rely solely on the
copy of the NOIM and solemnise the marriage without receiving the original NOIM before the
wedding. In such a situation, the celebrant should ensure the words on the copy of the NOIM are
clearly legible. The copy of the NOIM should be treated as the original document.
Celebrants should contact the BDM directly to explain the circumstances in such situations. BDMs
are responsible for registering marriages and as such celebrants can enquire whether the BDM
would accept a copy of the NOIM (provided that all other obligations had been complied with).
4.5 COMPLETING THE NOIM
Celebrants should advise parties to complete the NOIM with care. The parties must fill in the NOIM
except for the section under the heading “Particulars to be completed by authorised celebrant” on
page 4 of the NOIM and the box titled “For celebrant’s use” at the top of page 3. They must read the
notes on the front of the printed form before completing the NOIM. It is recommended that parties
type, or use block letters, to complete the form. If the NOIM is downloaded from the
28 | Page
Attorney-General’s Department’s website, care should be taken to download and print all pages so
that couples can read all the Notes, including the Privacy Note. The celebrant or another person may
write the particulars on behalf of the parties giving the notice, as long as the parties check them for
accuracy.
4.5.1 What if a party does not know the information required in the NOIM?
Where a party is unable to ascertain all of the particulars required in the NOIM after reasonable
inquiry, they must write ‘unknown’ in the appropriate space/s.
In order to make the NOIM effective, the parties must also provide the celebrant with a statutory
declaration as to their inability to ascertain the particulars not included in the NOIM, and the
reasons for that inability, before the marriage is solemnised. Celebrants must not solemnise a
marriage until a satisfactory statutory declaration is received. The requirements for completing a
statutory declaration are explained further in
Part 4.10.4 of these guidelines.
However, a statutory declaration is not necessary for the information required to be provided under
the following items of the NOIM:
• item 11 (father’s full name)
• item 12 (mother’s maiden name)
• item 13 (father’s country of birth)
• item 14 (mother’s country of birth), or
• the year of a previous marriage ceremony under item 16.
4.5.2 Parents’ names
The NOIM requires that the parties to the marriage list their parents. In most cases people will list
their parents as per their birth certificates or adoption papers. Not all parents are listed on birth
certificates; it is up to the parties to list their parents using the names as they know them by. There
is no requirement to sight evidence of the parents’ names irrespective of whether a birth certificate
is produced. A statutory declaration is not required for this item.
4.5.3 Completing item 17 on the NOIM – children of previous marriage
When completing item 17 on the NOIM, parties should include children of each of the parties from a
previous marriage, whether or not those children were born or adopted before or after the previous
marriage took place, or whether or not the children are genetically a child of the party. The
Family
29 | Page
Law Act 1975 provides that children of a marriage include a child of both parties to the marriage
whether born before or after the marriage.
12
The key criterion for completion of item 17 of the NOIM is that the child must be of a ‘previous
marriage’, and not a child of the ‘couple’ proposing to marry.
4.5.4 Recording the marriage rites on the NOIM
When recording the rites to be used to solemnise a marriage on the NOIM,
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants who solemnise civil marriages, and State and
Territory Officers, must write ‘according to the Marriage Act 1961’.
Celebrants who are a minister of religion (this includes ministers of religion registered as a
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant, and ministers of religion nominated by a recognised
denomination) must record that the marriage is to be solemnised according to the rites of their
religious organisation. These celebrants must also write the full name of their organisation exactly as
it appears on the list published in accordance with section 115 of the Marriage Act.
Celebrants must record the same information about the marriage rites for a particular marriage on
the NOIM, the Form 15 marriage certificate and the official certificate of marriage (See Part 6.7
).
4.5.5 NOIMs containing false statements
Celebrants should advise parties that it is a criminal offence for a person to give a NOIM to a
celebrant if the person giving the notice knows that the NOIM contains a false statement or is
defective.
13
If a celebrant is in any doubt whether a NOIM is defective, they should contact the
relevant BDM as soon as practicable after receipt of the NOIM, and before the solemnisation of the
marriage. If a celebrant believes a NOIM contains false statements, they should not accept the
NOIM.
4.5.6 What happens to the NOIM after a marriage?
The items on the NOIM (1-3, 5-9 and 11-12) correspond with the items on the BDM issued Official
Certificate of Marriage, which celebrants prepare and forward to the relevant BDM after the
marriage.
The NOIM is forwarded by the relevant BDM to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS
records non-identifying information from the NOIM, and uses the information to generate national
statistics on marriage in Australia.
12
Section 60F of the Family Law Act.
13
Section 104 of the Marriage Act.
30 | Page
4.5.7 Recording the names of the parties on the NOIM
Marriage documents will form part of a chain of documents that a person will use over the course of
their life to establish their identity and obtain identity documents. As a result, the accuracy of
marriage documents will have a significant effect on the ease with which a person will be able to
obtain identity documents. Likewise, the rules established by agencies that are responsible for
issuing identity documents have a practical impact on the completion of marriage documents. The
following guidance has been developed with the aid of input from those agencies.
The rules in Australia for obtaining documents of identity such as an Australian passport have been
significantly strengthened over recent years. Celebrants need to be careful to ensure that they copy
names accurately (including spelling) from key documents onto the NOIM and the marriage
certificates. Otherwise great inconvenience may be caused to the couple in having documents
corrected at a later date.
Section 53 of the Australian Passports Act 2005
requires that the name that an Australian passport is
issued in must be either: the name on a person’s birth certificate; the name on the Certificate of
Australian Citizenship; the name on a marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths
and Marriages; or a change of name certificate issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and
Marriages of the state or territory concerned. The names appearing on the passport must be exactly
the same as the names appearing on the relevant document. No variations are permitted.
Change of name requirements vary across BDMs. It is recommended that celebrants check with the
relevant BDM for information on change of name as it may have implications for a married person
seeking identity documents following a marriage.
Celebrants should not try to answer (or obtain answers on behalf of couples), questions about
documents, other than marriage documents. They should refer marrying couples to the relevant
agency (such as the Australian Passport Office or BDM) to obtain their own advice.
There is a Frequently Asked Questions section at Part 4.7.1
of these guidelines to further assist
celebrants to determine how to record names on the NOIM and marriage certificates.
4.5.8 Generally the name on a person’s birth certificate should be recorded on the
NOIM
Most people use the name that is recorded on their birth certificate. This is because most people are
either marrying for the first time, or have never changed their name. This means in most cases the
parties will need to write their name exactly as it appears on their birth certificate when completing
the NOIM. The spelling must be identical and all given names which appear on the birth certificate
must be included in the NOIM.
31 | Page
4.5.9 When can a person use a different name in the NOIM to the name on their birth
certificate?
BDM-issued change of name certificate
If a person has changed their name from the name on their birth certificate by way of a BDM-issued
change of name certificate they must write this name in the NOIM. The person’s name should be
recorded on the NOIM exactly as it appears on the change of name certificate. Once a person has
changed their name in this way they cannot choose to revert to their birth name for the purposes of
the marriage documents. Some BDMs will amend a person’s name on their birth record in certain
circumstances instead of issuing a change of name certificate. In this situation the person should
record the name on their amended birth certificate.
Change of name by deed poll
Prior to BDMs granting change of name certificates (commencing in about the late 1990s), a person
could change their name by deed poll. A person who changed their name by deed poll must write
this name on the NOIM. The person’s name should be recorded in the NOIM exactly as it appears on
their deed poll documentation. A celebrant with concerns about the validity of deed poll
documentation provided to them by a person should contact the relevant BDM for guidance.
Spelling error of name on birth or change of name certificate
A person who believes there is an error in the spelling of their name on their birth certificate, or on
their change of name certificate, should contact the BDM in the state or territory where they live, or
were born, to enquire about having the certificate corrected. If the birth certificate or change of
name certificate has been amended, the celebrant should record that name on the NOIM.
A person who has changed their name through social usage, without any formal process, should be
directed to the relevant BDM to apply for a change of name certificate if they wish for that name to
be used on their marriage documents.
Change of name by marriage
A party who has changed their name by marriage, and retained their previous spouse’s surname,
must record that surname on the NOIM. The surname recorded should be exactly as it appears on
the BDM-issued official marriage certificate, or court-issued divorce certificate, for the party’s
previous marriage. See Part 4.18 for two case studies on the correct use of documents, and Part 4.7
of these guidelines (Frequently asked questions – names on notices of intended marriage and on
marriage certificates) for further assistance in such situations.
Use of name on Certificate of Australian Citizenship
32 | Page
A person’s name as recorded on a Certificate of Australian Citizenship should not be recorded on the
NOIM unless the person also has official photo identification in that name, such as a driver licence,
proof of age card or an Australian or overseas passport.
If a person wants to use a name on their NOIM but does not have the appropriate
evidence
In cases other than those described earlier, where a party wants to use a different name on the
NOIM to the name on their birth certificate, they should apply to the BDM in the state or territory
where they were born or where they live for a change of name certificate to be issued to them, or
for their name to be amended on their birth certificate.
The party should first enquire with the relevant BDM in order to find out the requirements and
timeframes for obtaining a change of name in that state or territory. While waiting for the formal
change of name, the party may provide the NOIM to the celebrant using the name on their current
birth certificate. The NOIM can then be amended once the formal change of name is obtained.
Please note that the NOIM can only be corrected prior to the solemnisation of the marriage. Please
refer to Part 4.9.5
of these guidelines for further information on correcting the NOIM.
4.5.10 Refusal by a person to use the name on their birth certificate
If a person refuses to use the name stated on their birth certificate, and does not fall within one of
the scenarios described above for when another name must be recorded in the NOIM, the celebrant
should outline the possible difficulties the person may face in the future when attempting to obtain
an Australian passport, or other official identity documents, in the name they wish to use. If the
person insists this will never be an issue for them, they may list their preferred name on the NOIM.
As with any advice or recommendations provided by a celebrant, the celebrant should make a
written record of their advice, and give a copy of that advice to the person. It may be prudent for the
celebrant to include a copy of the advice with the documents sent to the BDM to register the
marriage, as well as keeping the advice as part of their personal records. Some BDMs will scan the
letter of advice and retain it as part of the marriage register.
4.6 A PARTY HAS DIFFERENT NAMES IN THE DOCUMENTS THEY PROVIDE
TO ESTABLISH THEIR DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH AND THEIR IDENTITY
Each party to a marriage must give their celebrant documents that establish their date/place of birth
and identity. In most cases people use the name recorded on their birth certificate, and that name
will be recorded on all documents they give their celebrant, including the NOIM. If a party gives their
celebrant documents recording different names, the celebrant should check the party has provided a
sufficient chain of documents to establish their identity and link the names. The case studies below
at 4.18
about Jane and John demonstrate such a chain of documents and how to use them.
33 | Page
4.7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – NAMES ON NOTICES OF INTENDED
MARRIAGE AND ON MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
Subsection 42(8) of the Marriage Act requires celebrants to establish the identities of the parties to a
marriage. Accuracy in recording names helps ensure that everyone is satisfied about the identity of
persons intending to marry, and that they can prove that they are who they claim to be.
The Australian Government has put in place systems to deal with identity fraud. As an example of
this, and as a result of amendments to the Passports Act 2005, the Australian Passport Office has
developed rules about names on Australian passports. These rules are relevant to marrying couples
as anyone wishing to apply for a passport in their married name will need to adhere to these rules.
In the past, marriage celebrants have been advised to use acronyms and terms such as ‘k.a.’, ‘a.k.a.’
and ‘nee’ in circumstances when a party has a name which is different from their birth name. These
terms must not be used under any circumstances.
NOIM forms and marriage certificates must have one full name for each party to the marriage.
This will assist couples, will help alleviate errors that can potentially arise from the confusion of
having more than one name for one person on the documents, and will help streamline electronic
processing of the documents.
4.7.1 Frequently asked questions
The following list of frequently asked questions should provide celebrants with the information they
need to advise couples about the completion of the names section in the NOIM.
It will also assist celebrants to explain to couples how they will be writing their names on the three
certificates of marriage. This advice is intended to assist couples and is in accordance with the
Marriage Act.
Names on the Notice of Intended Marriage
Q1 What names must parties write on the NOIM?
A1 Most people use the name that is recorded on their birth certificate, so in most cases when
completing the NOIM parties will write their name as it appears on their birth certificate.
Celebrants must ensure that the parties write their names exactly as they appear on their
birth certificates. The spelling must be identical and all given names which appear on the
birth certificate must be included on the NOIM.
If a person has changed their name from the name on their birth certificate by way of a
BDM-issued change of name certificate, or by deed poll (prior to BDMs starting to issue
change of name certificates from the late 1990s), they must write this name exactly as it
appears on the change of name certificate or deed poll documentation.
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If a person has changed their name by marriage and retained a previous spouse’s surname,
they must record that surname on the NOIM. Celebrants should ensure the party has written
their surname exactly as it appears on the previous marriage certificate or court-issued
divorce certificate.
A person may record the name on their Australian Citizenship Certificate on the NOIM if the
person also has official photo identification in that name, such as a driver licence, proof of
age card or an Australian or overseas passport.
Remember, authorised celebrants should check that the party has provided a sufficient chain
of documents to establish their identity and link to the names.
Names on birth certificates
Q2 What if a person believes the spelling on their birth certificate is incorrect? For example, the
name on their birth certificate is spelt ‘Vicky’ and they have always used ‘Vicki’.
A2 Celebrants should tell the person that their name as it appears on their birth certificate and
their name as it appears on the NOIM must be the same.
If the person believes there is an error in the spelling of their name on their birth certificate
they may apply to have the birth certificate corrected at the relevant BDM. If their birth
certificate is corrected they may then use the name on the corrected certificate on the
NOIM.
Celebrants should also tell the person that any discrepancy between their name as it
appears on their birth certificate and their name as it appears on the marriage documents
may lead to them encountering problems if they wish to obtain an Australian passport in
their married name.
Q3 What if a person does not want all their given names on the NOIM? For example, they have
four given names on the birth certificate and they have always only used two of those names
or if they only have one name.
A3 They should use all four names, or just the one name, on the NOIM. Celebrants should tell
the person that their name as it appears on their birth certificate and their name as it
appears on the NOIM should be the same.
Celebrants should also tell the person that any discrepancy between their name as it appears
on their birth certificate and their name as it appears on the marriage documents may lead
them to encountering problems if they wish to obtain an Australian passport in their married
name.
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Q4 Is there anything a party can do to overcome the problems raised in Questions 2 and 3 of
using a different name from that on their birth certificate?
A4 Yes. Parties can apply to the BDM in the state or territory where they were born or where
they live for a change of name certificate to be issued to them to reflect the spelling of the
name that they commonly use, or to reflect the given names they actually use.
Note: Change of name certificate procedures vary between the states and territories.
Most states will only register a change of name for a person whose birth has been
registered in that state or who has been resident there for a certain period of time.
Parties can then use the name on the change of name certificate on the NOIM, rather than
the birth certificate name.
Q5 A party to a marriage has lived for many years with a step-father and, though not formally
adopted, has always used the step-father’s surname. Which name should they use on the
NOIM?
A5 In this case the party should use the name on their birth certificate. If they do not wish to do
this, they can apply to the BDM in the state or territory where they live or were born for a
Change of Name certificate, to reflect the name as it has been changed by usage. They can
then use this name on the NOIM.
Change of name
Q6 If a party would like to use a name other than the name on their birth certificate, can they
give the NOIM before obtaining a change of name certificate in order to meet the one
month minimum timeframe for giving notice?
A6 Yes. They can give the NOIM but must, at this time, use their birth certificate name. The
NOIM can then be amended after the change of name certificate is obtained, but prior to the
marriage. Parties should ask the relevant BDM how long this process will take. It will vary but
should be less than the one month’s minimum notice period.
The celebrant may permit the change to be made in the celebrant’s presence by either of
the parties at any time before the marriage has been solemnised. The alteration should be
initialled by the party correcting the error and by the celebrant. The corrected notice may
then be treated as having been given in its corrected form.
If the change of name is not obtained prior to the date of the marriage, the original birth
certificate name must be used on the marriage certificates.
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Q7 A party to a marriage tells a celebrant that they changed their name by usage and have a
driver licence and a Medicare card in that new name. Which name should be used?
A7 In this case the person must use the name on their birth certificate. If they do not wish to do
this they can apply to the BDM in the state or territory where they live or were born for a
change of name certificate to be issued to reflect the name changed by usage.
Q8 Does this mean a person cannot change their name by usage?
A8 No, a person can change their name by usage. However, a name gained by common usage
may be difficult to substantiate and many government agencies require a change of name
certificate issued by a BDM as evidence of a person's name.
Q9 A party to a marriage changed their name by deed poll many years ago. Can they use this
name on the NOIM?
A9 Yes, they may use this name.
Generally, a change of name by deed poll that was registered before the commencement of
BDMs’ change of name processes is still a valid change of name. If a celebrant has any doubt
as to the validity of a person’s deed poll documentation they should contact the relevant
BDM for further guidance.
However, the celebrant should advise this party they may encounter difficulties obtaining an
Australian passport in their deed poll or married names.
Q10 What is the difference between a change of name by deed poll and a change of name
certificate?
A10 In the past a person wishing to formally change their name would lodge an instrument with
the State Registrar of Deeds or Titles. This was called changing your name by deed poll. That
process has now largely been replaced throughout the states and territories by change of
name procedures under which a person applies to have a change of name registered with
the state or territory BDM.
Change of name certificate procedures differ from deed poll procedures, and both
procedures vary between the states and territories. Most states will only register a change of
name for a person whose birth has been registered in that state or who has been resident
there for a certain period of time.
Celebrants should advise parties to check where and how to apply for the change of name
certificate. In some states, deed poll name changes have been transferred to the Register of
Change of Names. People who have changed their name by deed poll should check with the
BDM in the state or territory where the change was executed whether they need to obtain a
change of name certificate.
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Q11 A celebrant has a party who does not wish to obtain a change of name certificate before
their marriage and wishes to use the name they have changed by usage alone. What should
the celebrant tell this person?
A11 Authorised celebrants should check that the party has provided a sufficient chain of
documents to establish their identity and link to the names. The celebrant would still need
to be satisfied as to the identity of the party, the celebrant should advise this person to think
carefully about whether they may ever need identity documents, including a passport, in the
future. It may be possible to formally change their name after the marriage but the process
may be more complicated for them. The celebrant should advise the party to check with the
relevant state or territory BDM.
Q12 A celebrant has a party who does not wish to apply for a change of name certificate under
any circumstances. What should the celebrant do in this case?
A12 If a person refuses to use the name stated on their birth certificate, and does not fall within
one of the scenarios described in Q1 above for when another name may be recorded in the
NOIM, the celebrant should outline the possible difficulties the person may face in the future
when attempting to obtain an Australian passport, or possibly other identity documents, in
the name they wish to use.
While this would not be best practice, if the person insists, they may list their preferred
name on the NOIM.
Remember, authorised celebrants should check that the party has provided a sufficient chain
of documents to establish their identity and link to the names.
The celebrant should make a written record of their advice, and give a copy of it to the
person. It may be prudent for the celebrant to include a copy of the advice with the
documents sent to the BDM to register the marriage, as well as keeping the advice as part of
their personal records. Some BDMs will scan the letter of advice and retain it as part of the
marriage register.
Party born overseas
Q13 A party to a marriage was born overseas and does not have an overseas birth certificate.
What name should they put on the NOIM?
A13 If the person does not have a birth certificate a celebrant will need to see a passport issued
by the Australian government or a government of an overseas country as evidence of the
person’s date and place of birth. If that is impracticable (practically impossible), the
celebrant must require a statutory declaration executed under the Statutory Declarations
Act 1959 from the person to meet the requirements of section 42 of the Act relating to
evidence of date and place of birth. The Commonwealth statutory declaration form is
available on the Attorney-General’s Department’s
website.
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If the party is not an Australian citizen the party may use the name on their overseas
passport on the NOIM.
If their name or date and place of birth are written in another language the celebrant should
advise the party to provide the celebrant with a formal translation of the document so that
the celebrant knows how the name should be written in English.
If the person is an Australian citizen, then the name as shown on their citizenship certificate
may be used on the NOIM only if the person also has official photo identification in the same
name as the name on their citizenship certificate: such as a driver licence, proof of
age/photo card, or an Australian or overseas passport.
Please note that in this case the celebrant would only be using the certificate of Australian
citizenship to confirm the person’s name/identity, and not for the purpose of checking the
person’s date and place of birth. See Part 4.10
of these guidelines for the evidence of date
and place of birth that the parties to the marriage must provide to their authorised celebrant
to satisfy section 42 of the Act.
Error on Certificate of Australian Citizenship
Q14 What if a person tells a celebrant there is an error in the name on their Certificate of
Australian Citizenship?
A14 The celebrant should advise the person to approach the Department of Home Affairs
about
having the error corrected. If this is not possible they will need to apply to the BDM in the
state or territory where they live for a change of name certificate to be issued to reflect the
correct spelling of their name.
Party previously married
Q15 A party has been married before (either in Australia or overseas) and they are divorced or
their spouse has died. What surname should they put on the NOIM?
A15 A person in this situation has a choice depending on the circumstances of the name they
used.
If they continued using their birth name during the previous marriage they must record this
name on the NOIM.
If they reverted to the name on their birth certificate after divorce or death of their spouse
they must record that name on the NOIM.
If they changed their name as a result of the previous marriage and have kept using that
name, then they must use this name on the NOIM. The celebrant must see evidence of the
death of, or divorce from, the first spouse.
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Names on the marriage certificates
Q16 What names should be written (or printed) on the marriage certificates?
A16 The names on the marriage certificates should be exactly the same as the names on the
NOIM.
A celebrant should always cross-check the NOIM with the original documents from which
those names were derived, that is the birth certificates, marriage certificates or change of
name certificates and not just rely on copying from the NOIM. If the celebrant copies from
the NOIM they may repeat an error from the NOIM.
If the celebrant finds there is a mistake on the NOIM they should correct it. The celebrant
may permit the change to be made in their presence by either of the parties at any time
before the marriage has been solemnised. The alteration should be initialed by the party
correcting the error and by the celebrant. The corrected notice may then be treated as
having been given in its corrected form.
Q17 Do the names on all three marriage certificates need to be the same?
A17 Yes. All three marriage certificates which the couple signs are evidence that the marriage
took place and must be accurate.
The celebrant must use the same name on all three marriage certificates, that is Form 15
certificate of marriage; the retained certificate; and the official certificate of marriage (the
certificate forwarded to BDM for registration of the marriage).
Signatures on marriage documents
Q18 How should the NOIM be signed?
A18 The NOIM should be signed using the person’s usual signature. See the section entitled
‘Signing and witnessing the NOIM’ at Part 4.9
of these guidelines for more information on
signing NOIMs.
Q19 How should the marriage certificates be signed?
A19 The marriage certificates should all be signed using the parties’ usual signatures.
The signatures should be the same as the signatures on the NOIM and on the declarations of
no legal impediment. The certificates should be signed in the pre-marriage names.
See the section entitled ‘Signing the marriage certificates’ at Part 6.8
of these guidelines for
more information on signing marriage certificates.
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4.8 TOTAL PERIOD OF RESIDENCE IN AUSTRALIA
Item 10 of the NOIM requires the parties to state the total period that they have resided (lived or
stayed) in Australia, if they were born outside of Australia.
The NOIM makes provision for giving both ‘years’ and ‘months’ of residence. Months as well as years
need only be given where the party has been resident in Australia for less than two years. Where the
party has been resident in Australia for two years or more, the number of completed years only
need be given. For example, a period of five years, nine months residence need be stated only as five
years. If a party has only been in Australia for a period of days it is unnecessary to record this
information. Celebrants should be aware that there is no minimum residency requirement prior to a
marriage being solemnised in Australia.
The information about the parties’ period of residence is collected for statistical purposes only and is
collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
4.9 SIGNING AND WITNESSING THE NOIM
The NOIM should generally be signed by both parties together when it is given to their celebrant.
Signing the NOIM in the presence of the celebrant means that the celebrant will be able to witness
each party’s signature.
Where the signature of one party to the intended marriage cannot conveniently be obtained at least
one month prior to the proposed ceremony, the NOIM may be signed by one of the parties to the
proposed marriage, as long as the other party signs it in the presence of a celebrant before the
marriage is solemnised.
14
This enables parties to give notice of their intended marriage when one
party is overseas or interstate. The celebrant must be satisfied that the party who has not signed has
a genuine reason for not being able to do so at the time, is fully aware of the marriage and that the
parties’ documents are all in order. If the parties request advice on obtaining a visa for a party who
resides outside Australia, the celebrant should direct them to the Department of Home Affairs
.
An authorised celebrant or other person (see 4.9.1) is not able to ‘witness’ the signing of a NOIM
over Skype or other electronic means as the NOIM is to be signed in the ‘presence’ of the authorised
celebrant or other person.
In contrast to the situation where one party is overseas or interstate when a NOIM is given, the
signature of the other party to a so-called ‘surprise’ wedding can usually be obtained. The party
organising the surprise just does not wish to tell the other party about the wedding. A surprise
wedding situation is not one where it would be appropriate for a celebrant to accept a NOIM signed
by only one party.
Celebrants should treat the receipt of all NOIMs with only one signature with caution and make
appropriate inquiries of the party who has not signed. Celebrants must always ask why it is not
14
Subsection 42(3) of the Marriage Act.
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convenient for the second party to sign the NOIM (see Part 11.1 of these guidelines regarding
surprise weddings, and Part 8.6 of these guidelines on consent).
4.9.1 Who may witness a NOIM signed in Australia?
A NOIM signed in Australia must be signed in the presence of one of the following:
15
• an authorised celebrant
• a Commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959
• a justice of the peace
• a barrister or solicitor
• a legally qualified medical practitioner
16
, or
• a member of the Australian Federal Police or the police force of a State or Territory.
If one party to an intended marriage is unable to sign the NOIM for the purpose of complying with
the timeframe for giving notice to the celebrant, then the NOIM may be signed by the other party in
the presence of a celebrant and notice will be deemed sufficient.
17
Celebrants should note the following points in relation to signing the NOIM in Australia:
• The signing of a NOIM in Australia must be in the presence of one of the categories of
people listed above.
• The list is not the same as the list of persons before whom a Commonwealth statutory
declaration may be made.
• A Commissioner for Declarations is not the same as a person before whom a
Commonwealth Statutory Declaration may be made – they are specifically appointed people
who will have written evidence of their appointment.
• Commissioners for Declarations are appointed under state and territory laws. Only some
states and territories appoint Commissioners for Declarations. If the parties to the marriage
wish to use a Commissioner for Declarations, the parties should check whether
15
See Subsection 42(2) of the Marriage Act.
16
A legally qualified medical practitioner means a person who is registered as a licensed practitioner
with the Medical Board of Australia. The category is limited to GPs and specialist doctors but does
not include pharmacists or physiotherapists.
17
Section 42(3) of the Marriage Act.
42 | Page
Commissioners exist in the jurisdiction in which they reside. The best way to do this is by
contacting the relevant state or territory government where the NOIM is to be witnessed.
4.9.2 Who may witness a NOIM signed outside Australia?
A NOIM signed outside Australia must be signed in the presence of one of the following:
18
• an Australian Diplomatic Officer
• an Australian Consular Officer
• a notary public
• an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under paragraph 3(c) of the
Consular Fees Act 1955
, or
• an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under paragraph 3(d) of the
Consular Fees Act.
A NOIM signed outside Australia cannot be witnessed by an authorised celebrant.
Celebrants should advise parties to the intended marriage that the witness to their signature is
required to complete both witnessing panels provided, as well as adding their credentials.
The categories of people who a NOIM can be signed in the presence of overseas are limited;
celebrants should direct the couple to the nearest Australian embassy, or to a notary public (if one is
available). An authorised celebrant or other person is not able to ‘witness’ a NOIM over Skype or
other electronic means. Nor is a NOIM to be signed in the presence of an authorised celebrant able
personally, whilst overseas.
4.9.3 What is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a legal officer with specific authority to witness legal documents, usually with an
official seal. Notaries public can be found in every country and as such it is not possible for the
department to provide a list of all notaries. They will usually be listed in telephone directories, or
may be found through local legal channels.
4.9.4 A person overseas is finding it difficult to locate a person from the required
category to witness their signature on the NOIM
It is the responsibility of a party to a marriage, not the celebrant, to locate an appropriate witness
overseas.
18
See Subsection 42(2) of the Marriage Act.
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Most couples overseas will be able to visit an Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to
have the NOIM witnessed. If they are not able to do so, it is their responsibility to locate a notary
public or other authorised witness.
4.9.5 Corrections of errors on the NOIM
Subsection 42(9) of the Marriage Act provides that a celebrant may permit an error on the NOIM to
be corrected in their presence by either of the parties to the marriage at any time before the
marriage has been solemnised. The alteration should be initialed by the party correcting the error
and by the celebrant. The corrected NOIM may then be treated as having been given in its corrected
form. The NOIM may not be corrected after the marriage has been solemnised. If an error is
discovered after a marriage has been solemnised, the celebrant may wish to send a covering note
explaining the error to the BDM when registering the marriage.
An error on the NOIM includes an error in spelling. A change to the address or occupation of one of
the parties to the marriage after the date that the NOIM was given to the celebrant does not
constitute an error in this context and the address and occupation should remain the same. The
address and occupation recorded on the NOIM and those recorded on the marriage certificate are
not required to be the same if those details have changed after the date that the NOIM was given.
4.10 EVIDENCE OF DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH
Each party to a marriage must give their celebrant evidence of their date and place of birth before a
marriage is solemnised.
19
The following documents are the only acceptable evidence of a party’s date and place of birth:
• an official (original) certificate of birth, or an official extract of an entry in an official register
showing the date and place of birth of the party,
20
or
• a statutory declaration from the party or the party’s parent stating:
21
- it is impracticable (this does not mean not practical or convenient; it means practically
impossible
22
) to obtain an official birth certificate or extract, and the reasons why, and
- to the best of the declarant’s knowledge and belief and as accurately as the declarant
has been able to ascertain, when and where the party was born, or
• a passport issued by the Australian government or a government of an overseas country
showing the date and place of birth of the party.
23
19
Paragraph 42(1)(b) of the Marriage Act.
20
Subparagraph 42(1)(b)(i) of the Marriage Act.
21
Subparagraph 42(1)(b)(ii) of the Marriage Act.
22
Oxford English Dictionary.
23
Subparagraphs 42(1)(b)(iii)&(iv) of the Marriage Act.
44 | Page
A party’s date and place of birth should be recorded exactly as it appears on the document produced
as evidence.
If the document a party provides as evidence of their date and place of birth is written in another
language or alphabet, the couple should seek a translation of the document by an accredited
translator. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
website – has a list
of translators.
Parties should be encouraged to produce their evidence of date and place of birth with the NOIM,
but it may be produced at any time before the marriage is solemnised. For the purposes of
complying with the timeframes required for giving the NOIM it is sufficient for a celebrant to see
copies of documents, such as those scanned and sent via email or facsimile, as long as the originals
are provided and sighted by the celebrant before the marriage is solemnised. It is an offence for a
celebrant to solemnise a marriage before this evidence of date and place of birth has been produced
by each of the parties to the proposed marriage.
24
When a celebrant has seen a party’s evidence of date and place of birth and found it satisfactory, the
celebrant should strike out the appropriate words on the NOIM depending on what evidence has
been produced.
The birth certificate or extract or passport should be returned to the party producing it, but any
statutory declaration should be retained and forwarded to the appropriate registering authority with
the official marriage certificate (see Part 7
of these guidelines).
4.10.1 An official certificate of birth or an official extract
A party may provide an official birth certificate or extract as evidence of their date and place of birth.
While a party may provide their birth certificate extract as evidence of their date and place of birth,
it is preferable that they provide their official birth certificate as these contain much more
information than the extract. Some BDMs discourage the use of extracts as their accuracy can be
unreliable, particularly if the extract is old.
A party may also provide an official extract of an entry in an official register showing the date and
place of birth of the party, for example an adoption certificate. Celebrants should ensure that the
document is an extract from an official government register and shows the party’s date and place of
birth.
If an Australian born party does not have their birth certificate or extract, or an official extract of an
entry in an official register, a celebrant should advise them to obtain a birth certificate from the
BDM in the state or territory where they were born.
A party who does not have a passport and is able to obtain their original birth certificate or extract is
expected to do so. The fact that it will cost a party money to obtain their original birth certificate or
24
Subsection 99(1) of the Marriage Act.
45 | Page
extract, or they have left it until just before the marriage ceremony to obtain it, does not make it
‘impracticable’ (practically impossible) to obtain and is not an acceptable basis to rely on a statutory
declaration.
To satisfy the requirement for evidence of date and place of birth, the document must be an original
document. This would include whether or not the document is laminated.
4.10.2 If a birth certificate does not have a registration number
Where a birth certificate does not have a registration number (as is the case with some overseas
birth certificates), the celebrant may record other identifying numbers on the NOIM, such as an
identity number or document number. In this situation, the celebrant should amend the NOIM and
send a covering note to the BDM explaining that the birth certificate does not have a registration
number, and a document or identity number has been recorded instead.
4.10.3 A passport issued by the Australian Government or the government of an
overseas country
A celebrant may also use a passport issued by the Australian government or the government of an
overseas country as evidence of a person’s date and place of birth.
The Marriage Act allows a party to use an Australian passport as evidence of their date and place of
birth. It does not matter whether a party is born in Australia or overseas, this option is open to
anyone who has an Australian passport. In order to obtain an Australian passport a party will have
already proved their date and place of birth to a satisfactory standard to the Australian Passports
Office.
An expired passport is acceptable as evidence of date and place of birth. However, a cancelled
passport is not acceptable. This is because a cancelled passport is a passport that has been reported
as lost or stolen and is permanently cancelled by border control authorities in Australia or abroad.
If an overseas passport does not show the place of birth of the party, then it cannot be used as
evidence of the party’s place of birth and celebrants should request the party to produce either a
birth certificate or statutory declaration as appropriate.
4.10.4 A statutory declaration
If a party does not have a birth certificate (for example, if a party was born in a refugee camp and did
not receive a birth certificate) or passport, the party, or a parent of the party, may make and give to
the celebrant a statutory declaration setting out the reasons why it is ‘impracticable’ (practically
impossible) to obtain such a certificate or extract. The declaration must also state, to the best of the
declarant’s knowledge and belief, and as accurately as the declarant has been able to ascertain,
when and where the party was born (see Part 11.5
of these guidelines for further information on
statutory declarations).
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Other than in exceptional circumstances, a celebrant should not accept a statutory declaration from
a person born in Australia, as it is almost always possible to obtain a birth certificate or extract from
the state or territory of birth. However, in the rare situation that a party born in Australia does not
have a birth certificate or extract (or a passport) and it is impracticable (practically impossible) to
obtain one, they may provide a statutory declaration instead. For example, a party who was born in
a remote community whose birth was never registered with authorities may not be able to obtain an
official birth certificate. It is appropriate to allow such a person to make a statutory declaration as
proof of their date and place of birth.
People should be advised that the penalty for making a false declaration is four years imprisonment.
Additionally, a celebrant who has reason to believe that a statutory declaration contains a false
statement, and solemnises the marriage anyway, may be committing an offence.
25
4.11 ESTABLISHING THE CONJUGAL STATUS OF THE PARTIES TO THE
MARRIAGE – ITEMS 7 AND 19 OF THE NOIM
It is the responsibility of each party to a marriage to satisfy the celebrant that they are free to marry.
If a celebrant is not satisfied that this is the case, they should advise the party to seek legal advice as
to the validity of the end of any previous marriage, and refuse to solemnise the marriage.
Item 7 of the NOIM requires each party to state their conjugal status. The options that may be listed
in item 7 of the NOIM to describe the conjugal status of the parties are:
• widowed
• divorced, or
• never validly married.
Parties to a marriage should record the conjugal status that reflects their status on the day they give
the NOIM to an authorised celebrant.
In circumstances in which a party has never been married, or has had their marriage declared invalid
or void by a court (by a decree of nullity, or an annulment), their conjugal status is ‘never validly
married’. Some countries (such as the Philippines) do not recognise divorce and the order ending the
marriage is an annulment. In such a case the person’s conjugal status is ‘never validly married’. The
terms ‘bachelor’ and ‘spinster’ are not to be used. For further information regarding annulments see
the Part 4.11.6
.
25
Statutory Declarations Act 1959.
47 | Page
If a party has previously been married, Item 19 of the NOIM requires the party to state how their last
marriage was terminated. The options that may be listed in item 19 of the NOIM are:
• death
• divorce, or
• nullity.
If a party has indicated on the NOIM that they were previously married (item 7), and this marriage
was terminated through death, divorce or nullity (item 19), they must produce evidence of the
termination of their previous marriage to the celebrant. This evidence must be produced to the
celebrant prior to the marriage being solemnised.
The department’s fact sheet, Changes to marriage forms and certificates, also provides information
about Items 7 and 19 of the NOIM – see the Celebrant resources page.
4.11.1 Evidence of death of former spouse
In the case of a party whose last marriage ended with the death of their spouse, couples must be
advised the marriage cannot take place until evidence of the death has been provided. It is up to
each celebrant to determine whether they are satisfied with the evidence provided to them, and
that they are satisfied that the party's former spouse is deceased and the party is eligible to marry.
We recommend that the celebrant explain to the party that they, as a celebrant, need to be satisfied
that the client's former spouse is, or can legally be presumed, deceased before they can solemnise
the marriage, as they may otherwise be committing an offence. The celebrant should encourage the
party to take all practical steps to provide the death certificate.
If their spouse died in Australia, the party should be able to obtain the death certificate from the
BDM in the state or territory where their spouse died. The celebrant should encourage the party to
take all practical steps to provide the death certificate.
Where the death certificate cannot be provided, the celebrant could ask the party to look into
whether a court could issue an order or declaration, on whether the party’s former spouse can be
legally presumed dead. This would be the preferred option. Alternatively, the celebrant could
request that the party obtain legal advice that the evidence available would support a conclusion
that the spouse had died.
In some cases, a detailed statutory declaration from the person in relation to their marital status
may satisfy the celebrant that the former spouse is deceased. While it is open to a celebrant to
accept a statutory declaration, this type of evidence may not provide the same level of certainty as
the options outlined above.
If a statutory declaration is provided, it should explain why the person believes that their former
spouse is deceased. This would include information concerning:
48 | Page
• why there is no documentary evidence, or why the party cannot obtain that evidence
• all of the enquiries the party has made to ascertain confirmation about their former spouse’s
death, and
• the length of time since they last had contact and why they would expect if the spouse were
alive they would have heard from them.
It should also attach any publicly available information about the presumed circumstances of death,
for example if it is believed the person died as a consequence of conflict, information about that
conflict. Independent, corroborative evidence from third parties, such as a person who may have
knowledge of the death or who, like the spouse, would have expected to hear from them if they
were alive, may also be useful.
4.11.2 Evidence of divorce
A party whose previous marriage ended in divorce must produce evidence of this divorce to the
celebrant. This evidence should take the form of the actual certificate of divorce, decree absolute or
overseas issued equivalent. These options are explained below.
Couples must be clearly advised that the marriage cannot take place until the evidence of this
divorce has been sighted.
If a party has been married several times before, only the divorce order for the most recent marriage
needs to be sighted by the celebrant.
A divorce granted by a church is not the same as a divorce order made by a court, and does not
demonstrate that a person is free to marry. A party claiming that a previous marriage has been
annulled must provide the celebrant with a court document to that effect.
4.11.3 Receiving the NOIM if a divorce is pending
A NOIM can be received by a celebrant even though a party is, or both parties are, still married to
another person at the date of receipt of the NOIM. In such cases it is sufficient that the married
party or parties note when filling in the NOIM that they are still married, that a divorce order is being
sought/or pending and the date upon which the divorce is expected to be finalised. However, the
marriage cannot be solemnised unless evidence of the divorce is given to the celebrant prior to the
solemnisation of the marriage.
4.11.4 Evidence of divorces granted in Australia
For divorces granted in Australia the required evidence of divorce will depend on when the divorce
was granted. As explained in the table below, it will be either a ‘decree absolute’, ‘certificate of
divorce’ or ‘divorce order’.
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When divorce granted Required evidence of divorce
5 January 1975 to 1 July 2002 ‘decree absolute’
A ‘decree nisi’ is not sufficient.
1 July 2002 to 3 August 2005 ‘certificate of divorce’
The certificate will include wording of decree
nisi/absolute but the document is called a certificate of
divorce.
3 August 2005 to 13 February 2010 ‘certificate of divorce’
Wording on the certificate will refer to a ‘divorce order’.
13 February 2010 to 17 December 2011 ‘divorce order’
Issued electronically with no colour seals or signatures.
From 17 December 2011 current ‘divorce order’
Issued electronically with colour seal and signature. A
celebrant may accept a divorce order where seal and
signature are not in colour.
Wording includes the Court’s jurisdictional finding that
one or both parties domiciled in or a citizen of or
ordinarily resident in Australia.
Appendix A shows samples of divorce orders issued
when:
• there is a child or children of the marriage, or
• there is a child or children of the marriage and
the Registrar, while not being satisfied as to the
arrangements for the care of the children,
nevertheless has granted the divorce, or
•
there is no child of the marriage.
Since February 2010, the family law courts have produced divorce orders in an electronic format
including an electronic seal and signature. These orders include a certification pursuant to section 56
of the Family Law Act of the fact that the divorce order took effect on the date indicated. A celebrant
is entitled to rely on these orders as evidence of a person’s Australian divorce.
If a person has lost their certificate of divorce or divorce order granted in Australia they should
request a new one from the court that issued it.
4.11.5 Evidence of divorces granted overseas
If a person was divorced overseas they should provide the celebrant with divorce documentation
from the country in which the divorce was granted.
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The department is unable to verify the validity of foreign divorce documents or divorce procedures.
A celebrant with concerns about overseas divorce documents should advise the party/parties to
contact the relevant embassy or high commission to seek written confirmation that the documents
provided are appropriate evidence of divorce in that country (noting that in some cases a person -
most notably a refugee - may not be comfortable approaching the embassy or high commission of
their country of origin to seek this confirmation). This confirmation should be provided to the
celebrant. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s
website has contact details for foreign
embassies and high commissions in Australia.
If the celebrant is still uncertain as to whether the evidence of divorce is sufficient, or the person is
unable to get confirmation from their country of origin’s embassy or high commission, the celebrant
should recommend to the party that they seek legal advice in relation to the power of an Australian
court, under section 104 of the Family Law Act, to make a declaration as to the validity of an
overseas annulment or a divorce. In some circumstances such a declaration that an overseas divorce
is valid may be the only satisfactory evidence that a prior marriage has been dissolved.
Difficulties can arise if a person was divorced overseas and the records kept by the country in which
the divorce was granted have since been destroyed, or a party in Australia finds it impracticable
(practically impossible) to obtain records from overseas.
It is important for celebrants to be aware that it is the responsibility of the party to the proposed
marriage to satisfy the celebrant that they are free to marry. A celebrant should ask the couple to
provide legal advice supporting the validity of any overseas divorce if the celebrant is uncertain that
the marriage has been dissolved. Celebrants should not solemnise a marriage if they are uncertain
whether a prior marriage has been dissolved.
For example, person who came to Australia as a refugee may be unable to obtain evidence of the
end of a previous marriage from the country in which they were previously married. The appropriate
documentation needed in such instances will vary according to the particular situation.
In some cases, a detailed statutory declaration from the person in relation to their marital status
may satisfy the celebrant that they are divorced. While it is open to a celebrant to accept a statutory
declaration, this type of evidence may not provide the same level of certainty as the options
outlined above in 4.11.1
.
If a statutory declaration is provided, it should explain why the person believes they are divorced.
This would include information concerning:
• why there is no documentary evidence, or why the party cannot obtain that evidence,
and
• all of the enquiries the party has made to obtain evidence of their divorce.
They should also attach any independent corroborative evidence from third parties, such as a person
who may have knowledge of the divorce.
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Under the Family Law Act, a party to an overseas marriage can apply to the court for a divorce in
certain circumstances (for example after a period of residency). It is recommended that the party
seek legal advice about this potential option.
4.11.6 Annulment
The term ‘never validly married’ may be used on item 7 of the NOIM in which a court issued decree
of nullity, or an annulment, exists in relation to a party’s previous marriage. A decree of nullity is an
order from the court stating that there is no legal marriage between the parties, even though a
marriage ceremony may have taken place.
An annulment granted by a church is not the same as a court issued annulment, and does not
demonstrate that a person is free to marry.
When should a celebrant ask more questions of a party who has been previously
married?
A celebrant should ask more questions of a party or parties in the following circumstances:
• if there is no documentary evidence to support a claim that the person is divorced from their
former spouse or that their former spouse is dead, or
• if documents purporting to prove that a party is divorced or the former spouse is dead, are
illegible or are not written in English.
4.12 ESTABLISHING IDENTITIES OF THE PARTIES TO THE MARRIAGE
A celebrant shall not solemnise a marriage unless satisfied that the parties are the parties referred to
in the NOIM.
26
This requirement is separate from, and additional to, the requirement that each party
to a marriage must give their celebrant evidence of their date and place of birth before a marriage is
solemnised.
The Marriage Act does not prescribe the documents required to be sighted as evidence of identity.
There may be some overlap between the documents that can be provided as evidence of date and
place of birth and those that may be provided as proof of identity. Ultimately it is up to each
celebrant to determine whether they are satisfied as to the identity of the people seeking to get
married.
26
Section 75 of the Marriage Act.
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Best practice is for a celebrant to require each party to a marriage to provide at least one of the
following documents with photo identification as evidence of their identity:
• a driver licence
• a proof of age/photo card
• an Australian or overseas passport, or
• a Certificate of Australian Citizenship along with another form of photographic evidence
(such as a student card or other photo identification not listed above).
Each decision on accepting evidence to determine identity should be made on a case by case basis.
If a celebrant is not satisfied of a person’s identity because of the age or validity of documents
presented to them, they should request that the couple provide alternate evidence.
An expired Australian passport (issued on or after 1 July 2000 with more than two years validity; that
has not been expired for over ten years, or reported lost/stolen) can be used to determine the
identity of a person.
An expired passport that belonged to a child may not be useful to determine the identity of an adult
(even if it has been expired for less than ten years).
If a person is not able to obtain any official photo identification as evidence of their identity,
celebrants may consider whether other evidence, such as a document which provides sufficient
information to identify the person, such as their name, address and possibly date of birth.
Government issued documents are recommended, for example, a letter from the Australian Tax
Office, Centrelink or Medicare card and a rates notice.
For the purposes of completing the NOIM, if a driver licence is sighted as evidence of identity, in
addition to recording the driver licence number, celebrants may choose to also record the state or
territory in which the driver licence was issued. Similarly, if a passport is sighted, in addition to
recording the passport number on the NOIM, the country of issue could also be recorded.
4.13 MARRIAGE EQUALITY
On 9 December 2017, the Marriage Act was amended to redefine marriage as the ‘union of 2 people
to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life’.
27
From that date, the Marriage Act recognises existing and future marriages solemnised overseas
under the law of a foreign country. Marriages solemnised in Australia by a diplomatic or consular
officer under the law of a foreign country before 9 December 2017 are also recognised.
The amendments to the Marriage Act also created a new sub-category of Commonwealth-registered
marriage celebrant, religious marriage celebrants.
28
A religious marriage celebrant may refuse to
27
Subection 5(1) of the Marriage Act.
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solemnise a marriage on the basis of a party’s sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, or
marital or relationship status if that refusal is consistent with the religious marriage celebrant’s
personal religious beliefs.
The purpose of the new subcategory of religious marriage celebrants is to:
• assist couples to identify those celebrants who solemnise marriages in accordance with their
religious beliefs—religious marriage celebrants are identified on the register of marriage
celebrants, and must clearly identify themselves as a ‘religious marriage celebrant’ in any
advertising for their services, and
• provide clarity for the application of anti-discrimination law—religious marriage celebrants
are not required to solemnise marriages that do not accord with their religious beliefs
(section 47A of the Marriage Act).
Marriage celebrants (unless they are a minister of religion) who are registered on or after
9 December 2017 are not able to identify as a religious marriage celebrant.
The requirements for a legally valid marriage otherwise remain the same under the Marriage Act.
4.13.1 Sex and gender
When completing forms and saying vows, parties may choose to use the term that best describes
their gender. Any person may choose the gender-neutral descriptors ‘partner’ or ‘spouse’.
Marriage celebrants should accept a party’s statement about their sex and gender.
The Australian Government recognises that a person’s sex and gender may not be the same.
Individuals may identify and be recognised as a gender other than the sex they were assigned at
birth or during infancy, or as a gender which is not exclusively male or female.
Gender and the Notice of Intended Marriage
Item 1 of the Notice of Intended Marriage requires a party to indicate how they want to be
described. This question has been included to allow state and territory registries of births, deaths
and marriages to register marriages and issue certificates that reflect how couples want to describe
themselves.
There are three options for a party’s description: ‘groom’, ‘bride’ or ‘partner’. It is up to each party
to decide which option they want to use to describe themselves in the marriage forms.
Item 4 asks a person to identify their sex as either Male, Female or X (X refers to
indeterminate/intersex/unspecified).This question has been included for the Australian Bureau of
Statistics to continue to prepare and publish national marriage statistics based on sex. A party’s
recorded sex does not need to align with their gender identity.
28
Subdivision D in Division 1 in Part IV of the Marriage Act.
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4.13.2 Advertising
Both religious marriage celebrants and marriage celebrants must accurately describe their
designation in any document relating to the services they provide, including online and paper
advertisements and information. This includes (but is not limited to) advertisements, web sites and
business cards.
29
A failure to comply with a section 39G obligation is one of the grounds for the
Registrar to impose a disciplinary measure.
This will ensure that couples seeking the services of a celebrant are able to make informed decisions
about whether to engage the services of a celebrant in the knowledge that a religious marriage
celebrant may refuse to solemnise their marriage for religious reasons. See ‘Guidelines on
advertising for Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants’ on the department’s website
. The
advertising guidelines provide guidance to marriage celebrants on how to market celebrancy
services in a manner that is consistent with celebrants’ obligations under the Marriage Act and the
Code of Practice.
Keeping ‘A’ numbers secure
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants’ ‘A numbers’ are unique to each celebrant and are
important for the completion of marriage documents. This number should be kept secure and
should not be disclosed to others or used in advertising.
Example: A party to a marriage who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident asks an
authorised celebrant to write a letter or to give a copy of the Notice of Intended Marriage in support
of their visa application. The party also asks the celebrant for their A number so they may provide it
to their migration agent. The authorised celebrant could write a letter, to whom it may concern, that
sets out they are an authorised celebrant, but not disclose their A number, and confirm they have
received a NOIM on a certain date for the proposed marriage or that they solemnised the marriage
at a certain place and date.
4.14 DECLARATION OF NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT
Each party to an intended marriage must make a declaration before the celebrant as to their
conjugal status and belief that there is no legal impediment to the marriage.
30
The declaration must be in accordance with the approved form, which is available on the
department’s website, or in hardcopy from CanPrint Communications
. Both parties to the marriage
must sign the declaration which must be on the reverse side of the official certificate of marriage (ie
printed on the back of the registration certificate of marriage).
The declarations must be made before the marriage is solemnised. This should occur as close as
possible to the ceremony, even if this requires the parties to make a special attendance on the
celebrant. This is because the circumstances of a party may change in between providing their NOIM
29
Section 39G(1)(d) of the Marriage Act.
30
Paragraph 42(1)(c) of the Marriage Act.
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and the marriage taking place. For example, celebrants can be approached by couples where one
party is still in the process of obtaining a divorce. While such a party can provide a NOIM to a
celebrant, they cannot sign the Declaration until they are free to marry—that is, until their divorce
has been finalised. Meeting with the couple a few days before the ceremony to go through final
arrangements may be a good time to have them sign the declaration. The Marriage Act does not
permit the declarations to be made immediately after the ceremony but they can be made on the
same day as the wedding provided it is before the ceremony.
It is an offence for a celebrant to solemnise a marriage unless both parties have made their
declarations of no legal impediment.
31
It is also an offence for a party to knowingly give a false
declaration.
32
The conjugal status a party gives in the declaration should be the same as that given in item five of
the NOIM unless the party was waiting for their dissolution of marriage to be finalised at the time of
signing the NOIM. In that case the conjugal status on the NOIM will be ‘married’ with some
reference to the steps that have been or are being taken to dissolve that marriage, and the conjugal
status given in the declaration will be ‘divorced’.
Paragraph 3 of the declaration deals with establishing that the party is of marriageable age and the
party should be careful to cross out whichever statement is inapplicable. The celebrant should initial
the deletion in the margin.
Where a party is a minor, their date of birth must be given. The celebrant should at this stage, if this
has not already been done, check that a section 12 order has been obtained from a court and, if
given, check that the consent or consents required under sections 13 or 14 of the Marriage Act are
adequate and in order (see Part 8.8
of these guidelines for further information on marriage involving
a minor).
If a celebrant has reason to believe that there is a legal impediment to a marriage, or that a marriage
would be void, the celebrant should not solemnise or purport to solemnise the marriage. To do so
may be an offence.
33
This is the case even if the marrying couple has signed their declaration but the
celebrant has reason to believe that declaration may be false.
4.15 MARRIAGE EDUCATION AND COUNSELLING
As soon as practicable after receiving the NOIM, a celebrant must give the parties a document
outlining the obligations and consequences of marriage.
34
This document has been approved by the
Attorney-General in the form of a brochure entitled Happily Ever Before and After, and indicates the
availability of marriage education and counselling and other important legal matters concerning
31
Section 100 of the Marriage Act. The penalty for this offence is five penalty units or imprisonment
for 6 months.
32
Section 104 of the Marriage Act and section 137.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
33
Section 100 of the Marriage Act.
34
Subsection 42(5A) of the Marriage Act.
56 | Page
marriage. One copy of the brochure must be given to each party. The brochure is also available on
the department’s website in translated versions.
A notation of the giving of the document should be made by the celebrant in the appropriate space
on the reverse side of the NOIM. If the space is left blank it will indicate that the celebrant has not
fulfilled their obligations. The document may be provided to the parties electronically or hard copy.
Authorised celebrants may wish to first check with the couple what would suit them.
The Code of Practice
requires Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants to maintain up-to-date
knowledge about appropriate family relationship services, and information and services available to
enhance and sustain couples throughout their relationship. Marriage celebrants need to provide this
information to the marrying couple at this point, and if necessary, provide referrals to relevant
services to couples who seek them (see
Part 13.2.2 of these guidelines).
4.16 OBTAINING A TRANSLATOR OR INTERPRETER
The need to obtain a translator or interpreter will arise in a number of contexts in preparing to
solemnise a marriage. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd
(NAATI) is the national standards and accreditation body for translators and interpreters in Australia.
The NAATI website provides a searchable online directory of translators and interpreters. If the
services of a translator or interpreter are required, the department recommends that they are found
through the NAATI website
and that the translator or interpreter is accredited at Level 3 or higher.
The Marriage Regulations do not require translations to be provided by an accredited translator,
except where a person consenting to a minor’s marriage gives a consent that is not in English.
35
However, it is important to understand that not all bilingual or multilingual celebrants will be able to
authoritatively translate documents.
Marriage documents form part of a chain of documents a person will use over the course of their life
to establish their identity and obtain identity documents. Obtaining an accredited translation will
provide an audit trail of amendments to a person’s record, preserving a party’s name in full
(especially where documents contain non-alphabetic characters). Additionally, subsection 50(4) of
the Marriage Act requires the celebrant to forward the official certificate of marriage and the NOIM
(together with supporting documents) to the BDM in the state or territory in which the marriage was
solemnised. These supporting documents may include official translations of documents, depending
on the BDM in the state or territory in which the marriage was solemnised.
When a party to a marriage produces a document in a language other than English, the celebrant
(even if they can read and write in that language) should ask the couple to seek an official NAATI
certified translation of the document.
35
Section 11 of the Marriage Regulations.
57 | Page
4.17 ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES ON MARRIAGE DOCUMENTS
Available technology enables documentation to be completed electronically, including using
electronic signatures. The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 applies to the Marriage Act. As such, it is
acceptable for couples, celebrants and witnesses to complete marriage documentation
electronically, for example, using an iPad, provided that the recipient of the electronic document/s,
such as the registry of births, deaths and marriages, consents to receiving the documents
electronically.
This does not include the Form 15 certificate of marriage, which must be in hardcopy because the
Marriage Act requires that it is handed to the couple by the celebrant.
4.18 ACCURACY OF FORMS BEFORE THE MARRIAGE IS SOLEMNISED
Celebrants should check all of the marriage documents for accuracy, including accuracy of spelling
and transcription. It is also advisable to have the couple check the draft documents for accuracy
prior to the marriage. Celebrants will need to take a great deal of care in performing this task, and it
is recommended that the documents are checked and re-checked carefully at this point. Marrying
couples will be required to pay a fee to BDMs if errors need to be corrected later. Although there is
no legislative requirement to do so, celebrants may wish to complete the marriage documents in
block letters to ensure legibility.
4.19 CASE STUDIES IN THE CORRECT USE OF DOCUMENTS
CASE STUDY ONE – JANE
A celebrant is approached by a prospective bride who uses the name Jane Brown. She was born
Jane Smith and was previously married to Tim Brown. She changed her name by usage to
Jane Brown following that marriage. She was divorced from Tim Brown and has the following
documents:
• a birth certificate (issued by NSW BDM) which records her name as Jane Smith
• a BDM issued marriage certificate which also records her name as Jane Smith
• a Federal Magistrates Court issued Certificate of Divorce for her marriage to, and
subsequent divorce from, Tim Brown which records her name as Jane Brown
• a driver licence which records her name as Jane Brown.
For the purposes of section 42 of the Marriage Act, a celebrant needs to see all of these documents
to establish Jane’s correct name for use on the marriage documents and to fulfill all the other
responsibilities under section 42 as follows:
• Proof of date and place of birth (subparagraph 42(1)(b)) – the celebrant must use the BDM
issued birth certificate. Proof of identity (subsection 42(8)) – the celebrant needs to use the
full chain of documents listed above.
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• The BDM issued birth certificate, the BDM issued marriage certificate and the Court issued
divorce certificate taken together establish the clear link in the name change from
Jane Smith to Jane Brown.
• This chain of documents allows the celebrant to record the name Jane Brown instead of
Jane Smith (as recorded on the birth certificate) on the NOIM. The driver licence, which has
a photograph of Jane, establishes that Jane Brown is the same person as the person referred
to in the documents.
Together all these documents establish her identity. Evidence of the end of the previous marriage
(subsection 42(10)) – the Court issued divorce certificate establishes conclusively the end of the
previous marriage and so fulfils the requirement under subsection 42(10).
Jane has provided a sufficient chain of documents to establish her identity and link to her name.
Remember – the celebrant must see all the documents prior to the marriage ceremony.
CASE STUDY TWO – JOHN
A celebrant is approached by a prospective groom who informs the celebrant that his name is ‘John
Antony’. He provides to the celebrant the following documents:
• a driver licence in the name ‘John Antony’ containing a signature in that name. The
photograph shows the same man as the one who provided the licence to the celebrant
• a Medicare card in the name ‘John Antony’
• a credit card in the name ‘John Antony’ containing a signature in that name
• a document that the prospective groom tells the celebrant is a birth certificate but which is
not in English. When the celebrant asks about the document the prospective groom explains
that he was born in Russia and his parents migrated to Australia when he was a young boy.
The birth certificate was issued in Russia and is in Cyrillic script. He never had a passport
issued by Russia as he travelled on his parents’ passports and he has never left Australia so
has had no need to obtain an Australian passport
• a Certificate of Australian Citizenship in the name ‘Dimitry Alexandrovich Antonov’.
The celebrant advises ‘John Antony’ that he will need to bring back a translation of his Russian birth
certificate by a translator accredited by the NAATI.
When the prospective groom returns with the translation, the certificate gives the name as ‘Dimitry
Alexandrovich Antonov’. The prospective groom explains that while he used that name at school, he
anglicised his name when he left school as it was easier. He has never officially changed his name.
59 | Page
The celebrant advises the prospective groom that the translated birth certificate satisfies the
requirement under paragraph 42(1)(b) concerning evidence of date and place of birth. The celebrant
can copy the date and place of birth from the translated certificate on to the NOIM.
The celebrant also advises that the name that will have to be used on the NOIM would be ‘Dimitry
Alexandrovich Antonov’. The prospective groom is not happy about that and wants the name ‘John
Antony’ to be used as that is how everyone now knows him.
The celebrant needs to advise the prospective groom that the name ‘John Antony’ cannot be used as
there is an inconsistency between the name on the birth certificate and the name attached to the
photo of the same man on the drivers licence. The Medicare card, credit card and the Certificate of
Australian Citizenship are not relevant to the matter as they do not have a photo.
The celebrant should advise the prospective groom that he has the following options:
• continue to use the name ‘Dimitry Alexandrovich Antonov' on all the marriage documents,
or
• apply to the BDM for a change of name to ‘John Antony’. If he were to do that and bring the
BDM issued change of name certificate to the celebrant, the NOIM could be corrected and
the name on the change of name certificate - ‘John Antony’ – could be used on all the
marriage documents.
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PART 5 MARRIAGE CEREMONY
5.1 TIME AND PLACE
A marriage occurring in Australia may be solemnised on any day, at any time, and at any place.
36
The
marriage must be registered in the state or territory where the marriage was solemnised. To meet
this requirement, and possible requirements of other countries for recognition of the marriage,
marriages in aircraft and ships at sea should be avoided.
5.2 MARRIAGES TO BE SOLEMNISED BY AN AUTHORISED CELEBRANT
Section 41 of the Marriage Act provides that a marriage shall be solemnised ‘by or in the presence of
an authorised celebrant who is authorised to solemnise marriages at the place where the marriage
takes place’. Authorised celebrants, other than chaplains of the ADF and ADF marriage officers, may
solemnise marriages anywhere in Australia.
Sometimes the parties to a marriage may request the involvement of people other than the
celebrant in the marriage ceremony. This is a decision for couples and their families, in consultation
with the celebrant.
Participation in the conduct of a marriage ceremony by someone other than a celebrant could
include doing a special reading, reciting a prayer or a musical interlude or the participation of a
visiting minister of religion. This sort of involvement is unlikely to raise any legal issues.
In many instances the person who is not a celebrant wishes to perform the central role in the
ceremony or nearly all of the duties of the celebrant at the request of the marrying couple. There
are key points to remember if approached to be involved in these kinds of arrangements:
• There is absolutely no obligation on the part of any authorised celebrant to participate in
any arrangement for the conduct of a particular marriage with a person who is not
authorised to solemnise marriages.
• An authorised celebrant who consents to any such arrangement and to be present in the
capacity of the authorised celebrant is legally deemed to have solemnised the marriage and
will be the person legally responsible for all aspects of it. The legal responsibilities of the
authorised celebrant in such ceremonies are the same as they would be for any other
marriage ceremony.
• The authorised celebrant’s obligations remain the same when others take part in the
ceremony. The authorised celebrant is legally responsible for the validity of the marriage.
• The authorised celebrant must keep the record of the use of the Form 15 certificate and
also the Marriage Register or second marriage certificate for six years (see Part 6.5
of these
guidelines).
36
Section 43 of the Marriage Act.
61 | Page
• Authorised celebrants who are Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must comply
with the Code of Practice (see Part 13.2.2
of these guidelines). Commonwealth-registered
marriage celebrants may be subject to a compliant for failing to comply with the Code of
Practice.
5.2.1 Availability of celebrant
Although in most cases a marriage will be solemnised by the celebrant to whom the NOIM was
originally given, the marriage may be solemnised by any marriage celebrant who has possession of
the NOIM in circumstances in which the original proposed celebrant has died, is absent from the
place of the intended marriage, is ill, or it is impracticable (practically impossible) for that person to
solemnise the marriage.
37
It is the responsibility of the first celebrant to ensure that the notice is transferred, safely, by hand or
registered post, to the second celebrant. The requirement for the transfer to be 'safe' reflects the
desirability of ensuring that the NOIM is given to the correct celebrant, and that the marrying
couple’s personal information is not compromised. It is the responsibility of the couple to pay any
fees charged by the first celebrant for services up to and including the cost of transferring the notice
to the second celebrant.
A celebrant who performs a marriage in place of another celebrant to whom the NOIM was given
originally, must comply personally with all the requirements of section 42 of the Marriage Act, save
that a new NOIM need not be given by the parties. That is, the celebrant who solemnises the
marriage is required under the Marriage Act to check the parties’ evidence of date and place of birth
and evidence of identity and evidence of dissolution of previous marriage (if applicable). The
Declaration of No Legal Impediment must be remade before the replacement celebrant and this
celebrant is also responsible for ensuring all other legal requirements are met. If there is not enough
time to prepare and sight all the necessary legal paperwork, a commitment ceremony should be
offered.
Where a celebrant who has solemnised a marriage dies without having signed the certificates of the
marriage, the matter should be reported to the appropriate state or territory registering authority.
5.2.2 Transferring the NOIM in exceptional situations
From time-to-time, celebrants may find themselves in situations where they are unable to solemnise
a marriage and are required to transfer a NOIM in exceptional circumstances, such as a natural
disaster event. Ensuring the safe transfer of the original NOIM may be challenging.
Consistent with the guidance provided at Part 4.4.2
of these guidelines for providing the NOIM to an
authorised celebrant when the parties to the marriage are overseas or interstate, it may be
acceptable for the first celebrant to transfer a NOIM by electronic means (for example by email or a
37
Subsection 42(6) of the Marriage Act.
62 | Page
photograph attached to a text message) to the second celebrant, and provide the original hardcopy
NOIM to the second celebrant before the wedding takes place.
It is up to celebrants to exercise their judgement and common-sense about whether, and how, the
original NOIM can be obtained prior to the wedding. Every effort should be made to obtain the
original document before the marriage is solemnised. Where the original NOIM cannot be obtained,
the second celebrant could consider whether there is enough time to complete a new NOIM or a
shortening of time could be sought.
Solemnising a marriage without the original NOIM should only be a last resort in the most extreme
of circumstances. In these very exceptional circumstances, such as a natural disaster, it may be
acceptable for the second celebrant to rely solely on an electronic NOIM and solemnise the marriage
without receiving the original NOIM before the wedding. In such a situation, the second celebrant
should:
• ensure the words of the electronic document are clearly legible
• print the electronic document and annotate/sign it
• ensure the relevant state and territory registry of births, deaths and marriages (BDM) has
consented to the NOIM being transferred in this manner, and
• obtain the original document as soon as practicable after the exceptional circumstances
cease, and provide it to the BDM, with a covering letter explaining the circumstances in
which the NOIM was transferred (in this way the original can be compared to the annotated
version). Depending on the circumstances, the original NOIM could be provided to the BDM
at the same time as the other marriage documents, or later.
Celebrants should contact the BDM directly to explain the circumstances in such situations. BDMs
are responsible for processing marriage documents including the NOIM and as such celebrants can
enquire whether the BDM would accept a copy of the NOIM that has been electronically transferred
to them (provided that all other obligations had been complied with).
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5.3 INVOLVEMENT OF OTHERS IN MARRIAGES SOLEMNISED BY
MINISTERS OF RELIGION
When a marriage is being solemnised by a minister of religion who is an authorised celebrant, and
the couple wants someone other than the minister of religion to also be involved in the ceremony,
the minister of religion should ensure that they have the following minimum role:
38
• consent to be present as the supervising celebrant and to be at the ceremony in that
capacity
• be part of the ceremonial group or in close proximity to it
• make their presence as the celebrant known to the assembled parties, witnesses and guests
• be available to intervene (and exercise the responsibility to intervene) if events demonstrate
the need for it during the ceremony
• be responsible for ensuring that the marriage ceremony is carried out according to law,
including that the marriage is solemnised according to a form and ceremony recognised as
sufficient for that purpose by the religious body or organisation of which the authorised
celebrant is a minister
39
(see Part 5.7 of these guidelines)
• if they are a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant say the words required by
subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act in the presence of the parties, the formal witnesses and
the guests before the marriage is solemnised (see Part 5.6
of these guidelines)
• receive and sign the papers required by the Marriage Act, including receiving the NOIM and
sighting the supporting documents each party is required to produce (see Parts 4.1 and 4.2
of these guidelines) and signing the marriage certificates (see Part 6 of these guidelines), and
• register the marriage with the appropriate BDM as required under the Marriage Act (see
Part 7
of these guidelines).
5.4 INVOLVEMENT OF OTHERS IN MARRIAGES SOLEMNISED BY
AUTHORISED CELEBRANTS WHO ARE NOT MINISTERS OF RELIGION
When a marriage is being solemnised by an authorised celebrant who is not a minister of religion,
and the couple wants someone else to be centrally involved in the ceremony, the authorised
celebrant should ensure that they have the following minimum role:
• consent to be present at the ceremony as the responsible authorised celebrant
38
These requirements are drawn from the decision of the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia
in the case of W and T [1998] 23 FamLR 175.
39
Subsection 45(1) of the Marriage Act
64 | Page
• identify themselves to the assembled parties, witnesses and guests as the celebrant
authorised to solemnise the marriage
• be responsible for ensuring that the marriage ceremony is carried out according to law
• say the words required by subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act in the presence of the
parties, the formal witnesses and the guests before the marriage is solemnised (see Part 5.6
of these guidelines)
• be in close proximity to the ceremonial group or part of it, see and hear the vows required
by subsection 45(2) and ensure that those vows comply with the requirements of the
Marriage Act (see further Part 5.7
of these guidelines)
• be available to intervene (and exercise the responsibility to intervene) if events demonstrate
the need for it during the ceremony
• receive and sign the papers required by the Marriage Act, including receiving the NOIM, and
sighting the supporting documents each party is required to produce and sign the marriage
certificates (see Part 6
of these guidelines), and
• register the marriage with the appropriate BDM as required under the Marriage Act (see
Part 7
of these guidelines).
5.5 CONTENT OF THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY – SECTIONS 45 AND 46 OF
THE MARRIAGE ACT
Celebrants perform an important and valuable function, one that carries significant legal
responsibilities. Celebrants should ensure they are prepared to explain the minimum marriage
ceremony requirements to couples to ensure ongoing compliance with those responsibilities.
Together, sections 45 and 46 of the Marriage Act are the two central obligations of celebrants in
respect of the content of the marriage ceremony. These requirements are set out below.
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5.6 EXPLAINING THE NATURE OF THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP –
‘MONITUM’ – SUBSECTION 46(1) OF THE MARRIAGE ACT
Subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act sets out certain words—sometimes referred to as the
‘monitum’—that must be used by Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants and State and
Territory Officers in solemnising a marriage. Subsection 46(1) provides:
46 Certain authorised celebrants to explain nature of marriage relationship
(1) Subject to subsection (2), before a marriage is solemnised by or in the presence of an authorised
celebrant, not being a minister of religion of a recognised denomination, the authorised celebrant
shall say to the parties, in the presence of the witnesses, the words:
“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 2 people to the exclusion of all others,
voluntarily entered into for life.”;
or words to that effect.
5.6.1 Which celebrants are required to say the words in subsection 46(1) of the
Marriage Act?
All Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants solemnising civil or religious marriages are
required to say these words. This includes Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants who were
authorised before 1997, as any exemption from saying the words in subsection 46(1) of the
Marriage Act no longer applies. State and Territory Officers are also required to say these words.
Celebrants who are ministers of religion for a recognised denomination, and ADF chaplains and
marriage officers are not required to say these words. Such ministers and ADF chaplains and
marriage officers are not Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants.
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5.6.2 Why is using the wording in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act so important?
Commonwealth-registered celebrants and State and Territory Officers have a legal obligation to say
the words in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act. It is the statement of their authority to solemnise
the marriage. It also explains marriage under Australian law. The safest course for
Commonwealth-registered celebrants or state officers in solemnising marriages is to always use the
wording in the Marriage Act. Doing so will leave no room for doubt that the celebrant has complied
with their obligations under the Marriage Act, and will ensure that parties are aware of the legal
implications of marriage.
5.6.3 Can someone else participating in the ceremony say the words?
No. Only Commonwealth-registered celebrants or State and Territory Officers can say these words.
5.6.4 When and how should the words be used?
The words in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act must be used as part of the marriage ceremony,
before the couple exchanges their vows under section 45. The celebrant must say these words to the
parties to the marriage, in the presence of the witnesses (see Part 5.6
of these guidelines).
5.6.5 Can the wording in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act be changed or varied in
any way?
Subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act includes the words ‘or words to that effect’. Provided a
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant or State or Territory Officer does not dilute the words
or substitute words that alter the meaning of the words in subsection 46(1), there is some capacity
to change certain words.
Noting that the safest course of action is to always follow the wording in the Marriage Act, it is
possible that couples may seek to change the words. The changes set out below will not dilute or
vary the meaning of the words in subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act and may be used.
First sentence
The first sentence reads: ‘I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law’.
Variations that keep the legal meaning are:
• ‘I am legally registered to solemnise marriages according to the law.’
• ‘I am the registered marriage celebrant authorised to solemnise this marriage according to
the law (or according to law).’
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Second sentence
The second sentence reads: ‘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.’
Variations that keep the legal meaning are:
• changing ‘solemn’ to ‘serious’ or ‘formal’
• changing ‘binding’ to ‘permanent’
• changing ‘nature’ to ‘promise’
• changing ‘now about to enter’ into ‘formalising’ or ‘sealing’ or ‘binding’, or
• changing ‘these witnesses’ to ‘everyone here’ or ‘everybody here’.
The words ‘these witnesses’ should not be changed to ‘family and friends’ because that may not
include everyone present.
Third sentence
The third sentence reads: ‘Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of 2 people to the
exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.’
Given that the third sentence is the legal definition of marriage in Australia the words cannot be
changed. Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants and State and Territory Officers must not
make the following changes to the words in the third sentence because ‘marriage’ is specifically
defined by law:
• do not replace ‘people’ and ‘persons’ with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. The definition is appropriate to
all marrying couples.
• do not change the first part of the sentence to read: “Marriage as most of us understand it
is...’, and
• do not change ‘for life’ to ‘with the intention/hope/desire that it will last for life.’
5.6.6 Couples express their disagreement with the definition of marriage and request
that it be changed
The definition of marriage in the Marriage Act is the law in Australia. While everyone is entitled to
their individual view about such matters, Commonwealth-registered celebrants and State and
Territory Officers are authorised to solemnise marriages in accordance with the law.
These celebrants will need to explain carefully to the couple that, despite their view, they are not
authorised to change the definition and have a legal obligation to state it during the ceremony. This
means the celebrant is not able to agree to such a request.
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5.6.7 Can the sentences of subsection 46(1) be separated?
It is possible to separate the first sentence from the second and third sentences and say them at a
different part of the ceremony. However, the safest course of action is to keep them together. All
three sentences are required to be said, before witnesses, in every marriage ceremony solemnised
by a Commonwealth-registered celebrant or State and Territory Officer. All three sentences are
required to be said before the vows are exchanged.
5.7 FORM OF CEREMONY – VOWS – SECTION 45 OF THE MARRIAGE ACT
Section 45 of the Marriage Act describes the form and ceremony to be used by celebrants
solemnising a marriage. The words used are commonly known as ‘the vows’.
There are different requirements for the form of ceremony depending on whether or not the
celebrant is a minister of religion.
5.7.1 Subsection 45(1) – marriages solemnised by ministers of religion – religious
ceremonies
Ministers of religion may use any form and ceremony recognised as sufficient for the purpose by
their religious organisation. This is because subsection 45(1) of the Marriage Act provides:
Section 45 Form of ceremony
(1) Where a marriage is solemnised by or in the presence of an authorised celebrant, being a
minister of religion, it may be solemnised according to any form and ceremony recognised as
sufficient for the purpose by the religious body or organisation of which he or she is a minister.
Subsection 45(1) applies to all authorised celebrants who are ministers of religion. This includes both
Commonwealth-registered celebrants who solemnise religious marriages, and ministers of religion
for recognised denominations.
Ministers of religion of recognised denominations and Commonwealth-registered celebrants
solemnising religious marriages may use any form of ceremony recognised as sufficient for the
purpose by the religious body or organisation of which they are a minister. This means that the
content of the ceremony and its form must have the formal approval and recognition of the religious
body or organisation (usually through its governing body).
Ministers of religion for a recognised denomination solemnise marriages using the ceremony or rites
approved by their denomination. For further information refer to Part 3.2
of these guidelines.
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5.7.2 What if the couple would like to change the form of a religious ceremony?
All authorised celebrants who are ministers of religion solemnising religious marriages should seek
formal approval for the change from their religious body or organisation. This will ensure that the
religious body or organisation recognises the form and ceremony as sufficient, which is what
subsection 45(1) of the Marriage Act requires.
5.7.3 Subsection 45(2) – non-religious (or civil) ceremonies
Subsection 45(2) of the Marriage Act sets out the minimum words (or vows) which must be used by
the couple for a non-religious (civil) ceremony to be a marriage ceremony:
Section 45 Form of ceremony
…(2) Where a marriage is solemnised by or in the presence of an authorised celebrant, not
being a minister of religion, it is sufficient if each of the parties says to the other, in the
presence of the authorised celebrant and the witnesses, the words:
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.), to
be my lawful wedded wife (husband or spouse)”…
or words to that effect.
5.7.4 Why is using the minimum vow wording so important?
The minimum vows set out in the Marriage Act are important and not complying may give rise to
concerns about the validity of a marriage. The safest course of action for celebrant solemnising a
marriage is to avoid any such issues by complying with the guidance on the vows set out below.
While a couple is entitled to rely on the certificate issued by the relevant state or territory BDM as
evidence that the marriage was registered and that it was solemnised in accordance with the vows
in section 45, that does not mean that non-compliance with the requirements for vows may not
become an issue for a couple in individual cases.
While the married couple may gain reassurance from the BDM marriage certificate, serious
consequences may follow for a celebrant who has not followed the requirements.
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5.7.5 What are the words in subsection 45(2)?
Subsection 45(2) requires that each party say to the other, in the presence of an authorised
celebrant (who is not a minister of religion) and the witnesses, the words:
‘I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.),
to be my lawful wedded wife (husband or spouse)’; or words to that effect.
These words must be included in the ceremony. They are the minimum words which must be
exchanged by the couple to ensure that they fully understand the nature of the ceremony and that
they are marrying each other.
5.7.6 Who must say the vows?
Each of the parties to the marriage must say the vows to each other.
A ‘question and answer’ form of the vows is not contemplated by the Marriage Act for non-religious
marriage ceremonies. It should not be used as a substitute for the couple stating the vows set out in
the Act. For example, the celebrant should not say, ‘A.B., will you take C.D., to be your lawful
wedded wife (husband or spouse)?’, with the response from the other party of ‘I do’. The inclusion
of a ‘question and answer’ segment in the ceremony would need to be in addition to the formal
vows required by the Act being spoken by each party.
5.7.7 Can the couple personalise the vows?
Couples may wish to personalise the minimum vows. However, it is important to be aware that
legally there is limited capacity to change the vows. The safest course of action is to use the wording
in the Marriage Act. Under subsection 45(2), marrying couples can make a personal choice about the
terms to be used in their marriage vows that best reflect their relationship. The following wording
substitutions and changes are acceptable given the inclusion of ‘words to that effect’ in
subsection 45(2):
• ‘husband’, or ‘wife’ or ‘spouse’ may be changed to ‘partner in marriage’
• ‘call upon’ may be changed to ‘ask’
• ‘persons’ may be changed to ‘people’
• ‘thee’ may be changed to ‘you’
• ‘persons here present’ may be changed to ‘everyone here’ or ‘everybody here’ or ‘everyone
present here’ or ‘everybody present here’, or
• the couple may leave out either ‘lawful’ or ‘wedded’, but not both.
The following changes to the minimum words are not acceptable:
• ‘family and friends’ cannot replace ‘persons here present’ or ‘everyone here’.
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As an example, the vows could read: ‘I ask everyone here to witness that I, A.B., take you, C.D., to be
my wedded wife (husband or spouse).’
Couples wishing to personalise their vows further are able to lengthen their vows by adding their
chosen wording after saying the minimum words (so long as any material added does not contradict
the minimum vows). In this sense, the minimum words are the starting point from which
personalised vows can be constructed.
5.7.8 What names should be used in the vows (meaning of the terms
‘A.B.’ and ‘C.D.’)?
Commonwealth-registered celebrants (other than ministers of religion), and State and Territory
Officers, should use the parties’ full names (usually given name/s and surname) at some stage during
the ceremony, preferably early in the ceremony, for the purpose of legal identification of the parties.
The full name of the parties will be the names recorded in the NOIM.
40
Where full names (as they appear in the NOIM) have been used earlier in the ceremony, it is not
necessary for surnames to be used in the minimum vows. This is because the identity of the parties
to the marriage has already been established. Couples may choose to use their first, or first and
middle, names only.
Nicknames alone should not be used for the vows. However, shortened names or nicknames may be
added to the names used in the vows. For example ‘...I, Elizabeth Jane (Liz), take you, Peter John
(Buddy)...’. Nicknames may be used elsewhere in the ceremony, on the condition that full legal
names have been used earlier in the ceremony.
5.7.9 The saying of vows in situations where a person is unable to speak
Subsection 45(2) of the Marriage Act requires each party to say the vows to each other. If the party
is able to say the vows then they should do so. However if they are not able to do so for exceptional
medical reasons (for example, the party has had a stroke or has a tracheotomy, leaving them unable
to speak), it is sufficient that they communicate the vows by another means that is understood by
the other party to the marriage, the celebrant, the two witnesses and those present. The medical
circumstances must be exceptional and long-lasting in nature.
If a party to a marriage communicates in a sign language, such as Auslan, they may say their vows
using that sign language. For information on use of interpreters in this situation see Part 5.9
of these
guidelines.
40
For information about recording the names of the parties on the NOIM please see Part 4.5.7 of
these guidelines.
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5.7.10 What are the consequences if the requirements of section 45 are not satisfied?
Section 48 of the Marriage Act states that in certain circumstances a marriage not solemnised in
accordance with Part IV Division 2 of the Act will be invalid. Subsection 48(2) of the Act sets out a
number of exceptions to section 48, but section 45 is not included in the list of exceptions. This
means that if the celebrant is not a minister of religion, and the ceremony does not satisfy the
minimum requirements of subsection 45(2), namely the exchange of vows as specified in the
Marriage Act, the marriage may be void. Likewise, if the celebrant is a minister of religion the
ceremony must be a form of ceremony recognised as sufficient by the religious body concerned or
the marriage may be void. It is therefore very important that celebrants comply with the minimum
requirements of section 45 in relation to the ceremony.
5.8 WITNESSES
Under section 44 of the Marriage Act, a marriage may not be solemnised unless at least two persons
are present at the ceremony who are, or appear to the person solemnising the marriage to be, over
the age of 18 years. These are the people who will sign the marriage certificates in their capacity as
the witnesses to the marriage. When completing the marriage certificates the witnesses to the
marriage should record their names in full, including any middle names.
The object of requiring the attendance of witnesses is that their evidence will be available to
establish the identity of the parties or to testify as to the circumstances in which the ceremony was
performed. It is therefore best practice (but not a requirement of the Marriage Act) that the
witnesses know the parties to the marriage. Arranging for the attendance of witnesses at the
marriage ceremony is the responsibility of the parties to the marriage. The celebrant is not
responsible for providing witnesses.
5.9 INTERPRETERS
Section 112 of the Marriage Act provides that where a celebrant considers it desirable to do so, the
celebrant may use the services of an interpreter in, or in connection with, a marriage ceremony. It is
prudent for a celebrant to use the services of an interpreter when any one person among the
celebrant, parties or witnesses do not understand the language in which the marriage ceremony will
be conducted. This includes ceremonies conducted in a sign language, such as Auslan.
The interpreter must be a person other than a party to the marriage, and they must be able to meet
the requirements set out in section 112 of the Marriage Act. It is the celebrant’s responsibility to
decide whether an interpreter is necessary.
Subsection 112(2) of the Marriage Act states that the celebrant must not solemnise a marriage at
which the services of an interpreter are to be used unless the celebrant has received a statutory
declaration by the interpreter stating that they understand, and are able to converse in, the
language/s required.
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5.9.1 Witnesses to the marriage to also act as interpreter
The roles of the two witnesses are to observe that the marriage is duly solemnised and to sign the
marriage certificates. The Marriage Act does not prohibit an interpreter and a witness being one and
the same person, however, it is recommended that the professionalism of the interpreter is not
compromised by a celebrant agreeing that the interpreter is also a witness to the marriage.
Ultimately it is the celebrant who must determine whether an interpreter is desirable in order to
ensure the marriage is validly solemnised.
5.9.2 Certificate of faithful performance
Immediately after the ceremony the interpreter must give the celebrant a certificate of the faithful
performance of their services as interpreter. The certificate must be in the approved form.
41
The
approved form for the certificate of faithful performance by the interpreter is available on the
Attorney-General’s Department’s
website.
The celebrant must forward the statutory declaration and certificate of faithful performance by the
interpreter to the appropriate registering authority with the registration copy of the marriage
certificate.
41
See paragraph 119(3)(i) of the Marriage Act.
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PART 6 MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
The following outlines the requirements for marriage certificates, including how to complete them,
as well as record keeping obligations for celebrants.
6.1 HOW MANY MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES MUST A CELEBRANT PREPARE
AND SIGN?
Three marriage certificates must be prepared for each marriage.
Marriage Certificates
Section 50 of the Marriage Act requires the celebrant to prepare and sign the following three
marriage certificates for each marriage they solemnise:
1. the official certificate of marriage, which is s
ent to the relevant BDM for registration
purposes (discussed further in Part 6.2 of these guidelines)
2. the second official certificate of marriage kept by the celebrant or the church (discussed
further in Part 6.3
of these guidelines), and
3. the Form 15 certificate of marriage, which is given to the parties (discussed further in
Part 6.4
of these guidelines).
Each of these certificates is regarded as evidence of the marriage so a celebrant must take the
utmost care in preparing and signing them.
42
It will be necessary for celebrants to prepare all three certificates before the ceremony.
If the ceremony does not take place, the certificate for the parties (see Part 6.4
) should be destroyed
and the details recorded on the record keeping sheet (the ‘record of use form’). The registration
copy (official certificate of marriage) should also be destroyed and the butt of the registration copy
should be marked ‘cancelled’. The entry in the register (second official certificate) should also be
marked ‘cancelled’. Further information on the requirements for the three different certificates is
set out below.
42
Subsection 45(3) of the Marriage Act states that a certificate of marriage prepared and signed in
accordance with section 50 is conclusive evidence that the marriage was solemnised in accordance
with that section.
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6.1.1 Can a celebrant provide a couple with a souvenir certificate as well as the
official certificate?
No other certificates that include the words ‘marriage certificate’ or contain the
Commonwealth Coat of Arms can be issued. A replacement certificate cannot be issued in case of
damage or loss. Other souvenirs that do not purport to be a marriage certificate are acceptable, such
as a framed copy of the vows, or a copy of the ceremony. Please note that some BDMs issue
commemorative certificates to couples, however these are not official certificates of marriage.
6.2 THE OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE, SENT TO THE BDM FOR
REGISTRATION
The official certificate of marriage is the official certificate sent to the BDM for registration purposes.
It should be detached from the butt (if the certificate book is used) and written or printed as legibly
as possible.
The official certificate has the declarations of the parties on the back. For further information on the
declarations of no legal impediment, please see Part 4.14
of these guidelines.
The celebrant must forward the official certificate to the BDM in the state or territory where the
marriage was solemnised within 14 days of the ceremony.
43
With the certificate, the celebrant
should send the NOIM, any order under section 12 of the Marriage Act, and any statutory
declarations, consents and dispensations with consents relating to the marriage that are in their
possession.
44
The particulars on the official certificate must correspond exactly with the particulars on the NOIM.
If there is an obvious error on the NOIM, the relevant particular should not be included in the
certificate until the NOIM has been corrected. For further information on correcting errors on the
NOIM, please see Part 4.9.5
of these guidelines.
Celebrants should take particular care in transcribing or copying the spelling of names and details.
The Australian Passports Office may reject any BDM certificate in which the spelling of the names
differs from that on the birth certificate. Inaccuracy may result in a person having to pay a fee to a
BDM for the official register to be corrected.
6.3 THE SECOND OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE KEPT BY THE CELEBRANT OR THE
CHURCH
The second official certificate is the celebrant’s copy of the marriage certificate. This certificate may
take the form of an entry in a marriage register.
43
Section 50 of the Marriage Act.
44
Refer to Part 8.7 of these guidelines for further information regarding marriage where one party is
not of marriageable age.
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The particulars on the second marriage certificate must be exactly the same as the particulars on the
official registration certificate (Official certificate of marriage). The BDM is entitled to request the
second marriage certificate.
45
6.3.1 Second official certificate – requirements for ministers of religion
Ministers of religion may be issued with church marriage registers. The entry in the celebrant’s copy
of the marriage certificate is sometimes referred to as the ‘second marriage certificate’. Church
registers need to be securely stored.
Ministers of religion are required by the Marriage Regulations to add the second Official Certificate
of Marriage to the records of the parish or district in which the marriage was solemnised; the
records of the church in which the marriage was solemnised; or the records of the religious body or
religious organisation.
6.3.2 Second official certificate – requirements for celebrants who are not ministers
of religion?
Celebrants who are not ministers of religion must retain the second official certificate of marriage
for six years starting on the day, after the day the marriage was solemnised. The
Marriage Regulations ‘turn off’ the requirements to keep the Official Certificate of Marriage if the
marriage celebrant dies or becomes permanently incapacitated. This provides certainty that, if such
a scenario arises, a celebrant’s family or other persons can choose how to deal with these
documents. If the family or other persons decide to destroy the documents they should do so safely,
for example by shredding the documents. If they decide to keep the documents they should be kept
securely.
6.3.3 Second official certificate – requirements for celebrants who are State and
Territory Officers?
Certain celebrants who are members of the staff of registering authorities in the states and
territories have been exempted from preparing second official marriage certificates.
46
In
circumstances in which members of staff of registering authorities in the states and territories have
been authorised to solemnise marriages but have not been exempted from preparing a second
official marriage certificate, they are required to keep the certificate for six years from the date of
the marriage. If the person’s authorisation ceases before the end of the six year period, they must
send the certificate to, or deal with it as authorised by, the relevant BDM.
45
Section 78 of the Marriage Regulations.
46
Subsection 77(3) of the Marriage Regulations.
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6.4 FORM 15 CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE GIVEN TO THE PARTIES
The Form 15 certificate of marriage is the certificate the celebrant must issue to the parties. It is not
a document of identity but it is evidence that a couple is married and hence that their legal status
has changed.
The Form 15 certificate of marriage must be purchased from CanPrint Communications
.
The Form 15 certificate has security features built in during the printing stage, and a unique
identifying number on the back. Celebrants should advise marrying couples that the certificate given
to them is an important document and should be kept in a safe place with other official documents.
They should be advised that the certificate cannot be replaced if it is lost. Couples should also be
advised that the Form 15 certificate of marriage cannot replace the need to obtain an official
marriage certificate from the relevant BDM for some purposes, such as applying for an Australian
passport, and in some states and territories, a driver licence. This is stated on the back of the
certificate and attention should be drawn to those words.
6.4.1 What is a celebrant required to do with the Form 15 marriage certificate?
Immediately after the marriage certificates have been signed, the celebrant should hand the
Form 15 certificate of marriage to one of the parties to the marriage. The details of the use of this
certificate should previously have been recorded on the record keeping sheet (see further
information below).
6.5 RECORDS A CELEBRANT MUST KEEP FOR THE FORM 15 MARRIAGE
CERTIFICATE (RECORD OF USE FORM)
Celebrants must record the number of each Form 15 certificate of marriage they are issued with,
what happens to the certificate and the date on which they use it.
Celebrants must record the following details on the record-keeping form:
• their name and registration number
• the serial number on the certificate
• the date they used the certificate
• how the certificate was used (see following section).
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6.5.1 What date should a celebrant record on the record keeping form for the
Form 15 certificate of marriage?
The date to be recorded is the date the celebrant used the certificate in any way. This includes:
• completing the certificate and giving the certificate to a marrying couple at their wedding –
in which case the celebrant records the names of the parties to the wedding and the date it
was given to them
• if the certificate was spoiled and had to be destroyed – for example by spilling something on
it – the celebrant records that the certificate was destroyed, the reason for the destruction
and the date on which it was destroyed
• if the celebrant transferred the certificate to another celebrant – the celebrant transferring
the certificate records the other celebrant’s name and registration number and the date on
which the certificate was transferred to the other celebrant.
6.5.2 What should a celebrant do if Form 15 certificates of marriage are lost or
stolen?
If Form 15 certificates of marriage issued to a celebrant are lost or stolen the celebrant must do two
things:
• record how many were lost or stolen – on the record keeping form if they still have it
• notify the department immediately.
6.5.3 What is the purpose of celebrants recording what happens to each Form 15
certificate of marriage they are issued?
Celebrants must ensure they have a complete record of what happens to each Form 15 certificate of
marriage they are issued. Each marriage certificate issued to a celebrant and then to a couple after
1 September 2005 is traceable.
The supplier keeps a record of which numbers are supplied to each celebrant and provides these to
the department.
The celebrant keeps a record of what happens to each certificate and who it is given to. This process
means the authenticity of each certificate can be verified.
This department has sought to minimise the additional work and obligation placed on celebrants as
much as possible by not requiring that they send or supply the record sheets to anyone (except in
the circumstances that follow). However, celebrants must keep the record sheets with their other
marriage documents in a secure place for six years from the date of the last entry on the sheet. It is
an offence under the Marriage Regulations for a celebrant to contravene this record-keeping
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requirement. Subparagraph 5(b)(iii) of the Code of Practice requires Commonwealth-registered
marriage celebrants to maintain appropriate facilities for the secure storage of records.
The Marriage Regulations ‘turn off’ the requirements to keep the record sheets if the marriage
celebrant dies or becomes permanently incapacitated. This provides certainty that, if such a scenario
arises, a celebrant’s family or other persons can choose how to deal with these documents. If the
family or other persons decide to destroy the documents they should do so safely, for example by
shredding the documents. If they decide to keep the documents they should be kept securely.
6.5.4 When must celebrants provide their record keeping forms for Form 15
certificates of marriage?
Celebrants may be required to provide a copy of their record in relation to a particular certificate or
certificates if requested to do so by a specified person, such as the Registrar or another person
authorised by the Minister.
47
If a celebrant is required to provide a copy of their record or records they will receive a written
request to do so. The request will state the certificate number(s) for which records are required,
who the record must be provided to and the date it must be provided. It is an offence under the
Marriage Regulations if a celebrant does not, or cannot, provide the record when requested in
writing to do so.
48
For the purposes of a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant’s performance review they may
be asked for the records relating to a particular period. Failure to produce the records is a serious
matter that would be taken into account in assessing the celebrant’s performance.
6.6 NAMES ON MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
The names on the marriage certificates should correspond exactly with the names on the NOIM.
Celebrants should ensure that they have seen the original documents from which those names were
derived, rather than relying only on the NOIM. This is because simply copying all information from
the NOIM may result in the repetition of a previous error. This is particularly important if a NOIM is
transferred from one celebrant to another before the marriage ceremony (see Part 5.2.1
of these
guidelines).
The names on all three marriage certificates must be the same.
It is important for celebrants to make each of the parties aware that any discrepancy between their
name as it appears on the birth certificate, or on a change of name certificate, and their name as it
appears on the marriage documents, may mean they may encounter problems if they wish to obtain
an Australian passport issued in their married name in the future.
47
Section 73 of the Marriage Regulations.
48
Section 73(7) of the Marriage Regulations.
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6.7 RECORDING THE MARRIAGE RITES ON THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
When recording the rites used to solemnise a marriage on the Form 15 and certificates of marriage ,
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants who solemnise civil marriages, and State and
Territory Officers, should write ‘according to the Marriage Act 1961’.
Celebrants who are ministers of religion (including both Commonwealth-registered marriage
celebrants, and ministers of a recognised denomination) must record that the marriage was
solemnised according to the rites of their religious organisation. Such celebrants must write the full
name of their organisation exactly as it appears on the Register of Marriage Celebrants.
Celebrants must record the same marriage rites for each marriage on both the NOIM and the
Form 15 and official marriage certificates (See Part 4.5.3
).
6.8 SIGNING THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
Each of the parties to the marriage, the two witnesses and the celebrant must sign all three marriage
certificates. This must occur immediately after the solemnisation of the marriage.
The signatures should be the usual signatures of the persons. The parties should sign in the same
manner as they did on the NOIM. Care should be taken to see that the signatures of each party
accords with the names as set out in the certificate. Where a discrepancy appears by reason of the
use of a particular form of signature, the words ‘usual signature’ should be added beside the
signature. Where there appears to be a likelihood that difficulty may occur in deciphering a
signature, the names should be added in pencil, preferably in block letters.
If either of the parties or the witnesses is unable to write, a mark may be made by the person as
follows:
[Name – e.g. John X Brown]
[His mark]
[Name of witness to the mark]
Any of the persons present (over the age of 18) may witness the mark. The person witnessing the
signature or mark must actually be present and witness the signature or mark.
The celebrant should write their registration number on the official certificate of marriage and the
marriage certificate register (the marriage celebrant’s copy of the marriage certificate, or second
marriage certificate).
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6.8.1 Can other people (in addition to the two witnesses) add their signature to the
parties’ (Form 15) certificate of marriage?
No. As explained above, the parties’ certificate is an official certificate of the marriage and additional
material must not be placed on it.
The two witnesses are the official legal witnesses to the marriage under law and their presence
serves a legal purpose. That purpose is to be able to swear in court, or elsewhere, as to the identity
of the parties or to testify to the circumstances in which the ceremony was performed, including the
date and place.
If couples request additional signatures on the parties’ certificate a celebrant should explain that it is
not possible because it is an official certificate and the two witnesses serve an official purpose.
Similarly, additional signatures should not be added to the back of the Form 15 certificate.
6.8.2 Can the children of one or both of the parties add their names to the parties’
certificate of marriage?
If the children are under the age of 18 years they cannot sign the certificate. If they are over the age
of 18 years, and acting as one of the two witnesses, they may sign the certificate in that capacity.
6.9 WHAT HAPPENS TO THE THREE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES AFTER THE
MARRIAGE CEREMONY
To summarise the information provided above, the three marriage certificates are handled as
follows following the marriage ceremony:
• The official certificate of marriage (the registration copy) with the declaration of no legal
impediment must be forwarded by the celebrant to the BDM in the state or territory where
the marriage was solemnised. This must occur within 14 days of the marriage, together with
the other required documents.
It is the responsibility of the celebrant, not the parties to the marriage, to register the
marriage. Under no circumstances should a celebrant give the official certificate of marriage,
or any other marriage documents, to any other person (including either or both of the
parties to the marriage) to carry out this obligation. The obligation falls on the celebrant
only.
• The second official certificate must be kept by a Commonwealth-registered marriage
celebrant for six years and by a minister of religion for a recognised denomination
indefinitely. A Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant may destroy the second official
marriage certificate after six years although they are not obliged to do so. A minister of
religion for a recognised denomination is not able to do this. Some BDMs will accept the
celebrant registers so Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants should check with the
BDM before destroying the records. The second official marriage certificates (including
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church registers) and record keeping sheets are important legal documents and need to be
kept in secure storage.
• The Form 15 certificate of marriage (the parties’ certificate) should be handed to one of the
parties, the details having previously been recorded on the record keeping sheet.
6.10 CORRECTION OF ERRORS IN THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
Sometimes it may be necessary, either before or after the marriage ceremony, to correct errors on a
marriage certificate.
If the error is discovered after the certificates have been prepared and before the ceremony takes
place, the NOIM must first be corrected and the corrections then made also in the certificates.
Alterations should not be made in the certificate for the parties; a new certificate should be
prepared incorporating the correct particulars, and a record kept of the destruction of the spoilt
certificate.
Where the errors are not discovered until after the ceremony, corrections may be made whilst the
parties and witnesses are still present. If a correction is required to the Form 15 certificate for the
parties at this stage, the correction should be made on the signed certificate – a new or replacement
certificate should not be issued under any circumstances. No corrections should be made to the
Form 15 certificate after the ceremony, where the parties and witnesses are no longer present.
While no corrections should be made by the celebrant after this time, any error should be indicated
in pencil on both official copies, and, if necessary, a covering note of explanation sent to relevant
state or territory BDM with the registration copy.
Where the registration copy has already been sent to the BDM, the celebrant should bring any errors
to the notice of that authority, but should not make corrections to their copy. Under no
circumstances should any words be erased when correcting errors. When making a correction, the
words to be omitted should be lightly ruled through and, if necessary, others inserted. A correction
should be initialed in the margin opposite the correction.
6.11 LOST CERTIFICATES
Where the registration certificate of marriage (official certificate of marriage) is lost or destroyed,
the registering authority may require the celebrant to prepare a certified copy of the second official
certificate and send it to the registering authority.
49
If the Form 15 certificate of marriage is lost or destroyed, it cannot be replaced under any
circumstances.
49
Section 78 of the Marriage Regulations.
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PART 7 REGISTERING THE MARRIAGE
7.1 MARRIAGE AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Subsection 50(4) of Marriage Act requires the celebrant to forward the official certificate of marriage
and the NOIM (together with supporting documents) to the BDM in the state or territory in which
the marriage was solemnised within 14 days of the marriage being solemnised. Some states and
territories allow these documents to be lodged online. Celebrants should make enquiries with the
relevant BDM about the availability of this option.
Other necessary supporting documents that should also be sent to the relevant BDMs with the
official certificate of marriage will depend on the circumstances of the marriage. Such documents
may include any official translations of documents, copies of parental consents or court orders for an
underage marriage, statutory declarations or the certificate of faithful performance by the
interpreter.
Note that BDMs have different practices as to what supporting documents are required so it is
important that this is checked with the relevant BDM.
Marriages are then registered in the state or territory in which they are solemnised, in accordance
with the law of that state or territory. Copies of, and extracts from, entries in the register of
marriages can be obtained from the registering authority in the state or territory in which the
marriage is registered.
It is the responsibility of the celebrant, not the parties to the marriage, to forward the documents to
the BDM to register the marriage. Under no circumstances should the documents be given to any
other person, including either or both of the parties to the marriage, to carry out this obligation. The
obligation belongs to the celebrant only.
Serious consequences may arise for the celebrant and the couple if the celebrant does not forward
the documents to the BDM to register the marriage within the required time. Disciplinary measures,
in the form of a caution, being required to undertake professional development, suspension or
deregistration, could be taken against a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant who does not
comply with their obligation to register a marriage. A minister of religion of a recognised
denomination could be removed from the register of ministers of religion for failing to comply with
this obligation.
50
50
Section 33 of the Marriage Act.
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PART 8 ESTABLISHING THAT THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE WILL
BE VALID
8.1 WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH THAT THE PROPOSED
MARRIAGE IS VALID
A valid marriage changes the legal status of the parties to the marriage. This has potentially
far-reaching implications for the parties which include:
• official identity documentation – a married person can obtain official identity
documentation, such as an Australian passport, in their married name (subject to the
Australian Passport Office rules)
• financial arrangements – provisions in the Family Law Act
regulate how the married couple’s
financial arrangements will be determined should they separate
• inheritance of property – marriage invalidates any will made by either party to the marriage
prior to the marriage (unless the will is made in contemplation of the particular marriage).
Also, dissolution of marriage may revoke, or otherwise affect the operation of, the will of a
party.
A celebrant must be satisfied that a proposed marriage will be valid at all times prior to the
conclusion of the marriage ceremony.
8.1.1 Consequences for an invalid marriage
The celebrant may have committed an offence.
51
The Registrar of Marriage Celebrants may also take
disciplinary measures against a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant.
52
One of the negative consequences for the couple may be that they have to apply to the Family Court
for a declaration as to the validity of their marriage. They may also have to go through a second
marriage ceremony under section 113 of the Marriage Act (see Part 10
of these guidelines). Each of
these processes can be stressful, expensive and difficult for the couple.
A valid marriage usually invalidates any existing will. The position of each member of the couple and
members of their families may be considerably affected if a marriage is not valid.
51
Under section 100 of the Marriage Act it is an offence for a person to solemnise a marriage or
purport to solemnise a marriage if they have reason to believe there is a legal impediment to the
marriage or it would be void. Further details on offences in the Marriage Act refer to Part 12
of these
guidelines.
52
Section 39I of the Marriage Act.
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8.2 GROUNDS ON WHICH A MARRIAGE MAY BE VOID
When a celebrant is approached by a couple to solemnise a marriage, the celebrant must satisfy
themselves that the marriage is not void by reason of any of the following grounds set out in
subsection 23B(1) of the Marriage Act.
A marriage may be void where:
• either of the parties is, at the time of the marriage, lawfully married to some other person
• the parties are within a prohibited relationship
• by reason of section 48 of the Marriage Act the marriage is not valid
• the consent of either of the parties is not a real consent because it was obtained by
duress or fraud, a party was mistaken as to the identity of the other party or as to the
nature of the ceremony performed or that party is mentally incapable of understanding
the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony, or
• either of the parties is not of marriageable age.
Each ground is explored in more detail below.
8.2.1 Prior undissolved valid marriage
A marriage is void
A marriage is void where either of the parties is, at the time of the marriage, lawfully married to
another person (paragraph 23B(1)(a) of the Marriage Act).
8.2.2 Why is it important to establish that neither party is lawfully married to
another person at the time of the marriage?
If one of the parties is still married to someone else, the marriage will be invalid.
The celebrant is likely to have committed an offence.
53
One of the parties will have committed the offence of bigamy which carries a penalty of five years
imprisonment.
54
53
Under section 100 and potentially section 99 of the Marriage Act.
54
Section 94 of the Marriage Act.
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8.2.3 How does a celebrant establish that a party is not still married?
A person who is already validly married cannot marry someone else under Australian law until the
first marriage has ended.
A person who has been previously married must provide the celebrant with proof that any prior
marriage has ended whether by divorce or by the death of the other party.
55
It is the party’s obligation to satisfy the celebrant that they are not already married to another
person. If they cannot do so the celebrant must not solemnise the marriage.
Please refer to Part 4.10
of these guidelines for information about what evidence must be produced
to the celebrant.
8.3 PARTIES IN A PROHIBITED RELATIONSHIP
A marriage is void where the parties are within a prohibited relationship (paragraph 23B(1)(b)
of the Marriage Act).
Prohibited relationships are marriages:
• between a person and an ancestor or descendant
─ an ancestor is someone from whom a person is descended (parent or grandparent)
─ a descendant is someone descended from the person (child/grandchild), or
• between a person and their sibling (whether whole or half-blood).
8.3.1 What about adoption?
Prohibited relationships under the Marriage Act include a relationship traced through or to an
adopted child and the adoptive parent or each of the adoptive parents. Adopted children are treated
as the children of the adoptive parents.
Adoption, for the purposes of invalid marriage, includes an adoption that has been annulled,
cancelled or discharged or that has ceased to be effective. If adopted more than once, the child is
deemed to be the child of each of their adoptive parents as well as of their birth parents.
55
Subsection 42(10) of the Marriage Act.
87 | Page
8.3.2 Examples of prohibited relationship situations
The prohibited relationship requirements means a person cannot marry their:
• grandparent
• parent,
• sibling or half-sibling
• child, or
• grandchild.
In addition, individuals who were adopted by the same adults but have never lived together
are in a prohibited relationship. This includes cases where an adoption has been annulled,
cancelled or discharged.
What is not a prohibited relationship:
• An uncle may marry his niece or nephew and an aunt may marry her nephew or niece.
• Cousins may marry each other.
• Individuals who have lived together in the one family but were not adopted by the adults
who raised them are not in a prohibited relationship.
A celebrant should exercise caution when a party to a proposed marriage refers to the couple being
raised as step-siblings, or refers to any family connection between them. In such a case the celebrant
should question them closely to ensure there is no prohibited relationship.
8.4 MARRIAGE INVALID DUE TO FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 48
OF MARRIAGE ACT
Invalidity
Under section 48 of the Marriage Act a marriage solemnised otherwise than in accordance with
sections 13, 42, 44 or 46 is not a valid marriage. A marriage may be invalid where:
• the vows do not comply with section 45 of the Marriage Act, or
• there is doubt that the marriage ceremony took place.
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There are a number of exceptions to section 48.
56
Circumstances falling within these exceptions will
not result in an invalid marriage. However, marrying couples or celebrants may still commit an
offence under the Marriage Act if the Marriage Act is not complied with.
8.5 THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES IS NOT REAL CONSENT
8.5.1 Why is it important to check that a person is giving real consent to a marriage?
Consent is an important and a potentially difficult area for celebrants. Issues of consent generally
arise infrequently but can be difficult to assess when they do.
Celebrants should be aware that it is an offence to cause another person to enter into a forced
marriage or to be a party to a forced marriage (this offence does not apply to the victim of forced
marriage).
57
For further information, see Part 12.4 of these guidelines.
A forced marriage is not the same as an arranged marriage. In a forced marriage, the victim does not
consent to the marriage. An arranged marriage is a marriage in which the spouses have the right to
accept or refuse the marriage arrangement that their respective families have made. The
Marriage Act does not prevent a person from consenting to marry another person that they do not
know or have not met prior to the marriage ceremony.
Marriages that appear to be contrived or a ‘sham’ entered into solely for the purposes of a visa are
not prohibited by the Marriage Act. As long as both parties are consenting to the marriage, it is not
your role, as the marriage celebrant, to determine the genuineness of the relationship. If you have
concerns about the authenticity of a marriage you are asked to solemnise, you may wish to report
your concerns (you can do this anonymously) to the Department of Home Affairs on
telephone 131 881 or website at www.homeaffairs.gov.au. There is no obligation on an authorised
celebrant to do so. The existence of a marriage does not automatically entitle a person to a visa.
8.5.2 Doubts about whether a party is consenting or capable of consenting to the
marriage?
If a celebrant has any doubt about whether the consent of a party is a real consent at any time prior
to, or even during the marriage ceremony, they must address the matter and are entitled to take
such steps as they believe necessary to address their concerns.
These steps include questioning the party concerned.
A celebrant who believes the consent of one or both parties is not a real consent (for example,
where the consent was obtained by duress or fraud; or the party is mistaken as to the identity of the
other party or as to the nature of the ceremony performed; or the party is not capable of
56
Paragraphs 48(2)(a)-(f) of the Marriage Act.
57
It is an offence under section 270.7B of the Criminal Code Act 1995 to engage in conduct that
causes another person to enter into a forced marriage – penalty 7 years imprisonment or 9 years if
an aggravated offence.
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understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony) should refuse to marry the couple,
even if the marriage ceremony has commenced. A celebrant may also wish to contact the Australian
Federal Police.
8.5.3 When is consent to a marriage not real consent?
Both parties must consent to being married and understand the nature and effect of marriage. The
factors to establish real consent are listed in subsection 23B(1)(d) of the Marriage Act:
Consent
A person’s consent to a marriage is not real if:
• the consent is obtained by duress or fraud
• one of the parties is mistaken as to:
─ the identity of the other party, or
─ the nature of the ceremony performed, or
• a party is not capable of understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony.
A determination of whether any of these grounds have rendered a marriage void is a matter for
the Family Court of Australia.
8.6 HOW CAN A CELEBRANT ASSESS WHETHER A PERSON’S CONSENT IS
REAL?
8.6.1 Speak to the party in the absence of any other party
If a celebrant forms a view that any of the above grounds may be present when a couple approaches
them to solemnise a marriage, they should discuss the matter with the party concerned in the
absence of the other party to ensure that the consent is a real consent. This is particularly important
if the celebrant is concerned that a party may be experiencing duress or is mentally incapable of
understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony.
The discussion with the other party should also occur in the absence of third parties such as parents.
A mistake as to the nature of the ceremony performed may arise, for example, where a person
thought the ceremony was a betrothal ceremony and not a marriage ceremony.
In cases where there is doubt about whether a party is incapable of understanding the nature and
effect of the marriage ceremony, a simple or general understanding will be sufficient. A high level of
understanding is not required. The celebrant should ask questions of the person about whom they
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have concerns in order to gauge the level of their understanding of the marriage ceremony and what
it involves. For example, why they want to marry the other person, what marriage is or where they
will be living after the marriage.
8.6.2 Speak to third parties
In addition to speaking to the party concerned a celebrant can speak to third parties (e.g. in cases of
incapacity a celebrant might be assisted by speaking with medical experts who know the party or
other people such as family members, carers or staff at the nursing home where a person is living if
they are elderly or have a disability) to assess if consent is real. When speaking to third parties, it is
important to respect the privacy of the person involved. You should seek permission from the
person to approach certain people, tell them who you would like to speak to and why, and let them
know what you are going to say. Information about consent and persons with disability is in
Part 8.8.5
of the guidelines.
8.6.3 Keep detailed records
A celebrant should thoroughly document any conversations they have to assess a person’s consent
to marry. This means if any questions arise at a later date the celebrant has a record of their decision
making process. This is important because celebrants may be called upon to give evidence in court
as to the consent of the parties.
8.6.4 Concerns about consent
Celebrants should be aware that issues of consent can arise at any time prior to the conclusion of
the marriage ceremony. It is vital that a celebrant is satisfied that both parties genuinely consent to
the marriage. If at any point a celebrant is unsure of the genuine consent of either party they should
not proceed with solemnising the marriage.
A celebrant might have been satisfied that a party was capable of understanding the nature and
effect of the marriage ceremony before the ceremony was due to be solemnised, but might form a
different view as a result of the party’s conduct during the marriage ceremony itself. In such a case
the celebrant should not proceed to solemnise the marriage until satisfied that the party is capable
of understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony.
Other consent issues that arise on the day of the marriage ceremony can include, for example,
duress or a party to the marriage who is drunk, intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, or
otherwise appears to be in an altered mental state to an extent that this could impair their ability to
consent to the marriage.
For example, if alcohol or drugs are involved, the party should be displaying a reasonable level of
comprehension or understanding of the nature and effect of marriage. A person who has had an
alcoholic drink prior to the ceremony but is not inebriated is most likely to be able to be in a position
to consent to the marriage. However, a person who is intoxicated is unlikely to be in a position to
form the necessary understanding of the nature and effect of marriage. It is an authorised
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celebrant’s responsibility to refuse to proceed with the solemnisation of the marriage if the parties
are so affected by drugs and/or alcohol that the marriage would be void due to a lack of consent.
Ultimately, this is something that can only be determined on the day and requires the individual
judgment of the celebrant. The celebrant may wish to offer to conduct a commitment ceremony,
with the legal marriage being performed at a later date. The celebrant should take the best efforts to
extract themselves from the situation as safely as possible. It may be a good idea to explain issues of
consent, and your responsibilities, with the couple prior to the day of the ceremony, especially if you
think it might become an issue.
Under no circumstances should a celebrant agree to do a surprise wedding (refer to Part 11.1
of
these guidelines for further information on surprise weddings).
8.6.5 Capacity to understand the nature and effect of marriage
Capacity is the concept that refers to a person’s ability to make independent decisions. Every adult is
presumed to have capacity to make decisions. This means that unless there is a valid trigger to justify
a further assessment of a person’s capacity, authorised celebrants should generally treat everyone
as if they are capable of understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony. It is
especially important to value and respect the importance of presuming capacity of a person with a
disability to make a decision in relation to marriage. Article 23 of the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with a Disability recognises the right of people with disabilities to marry and have a family.
Although the Marriage Act recognises the need to protect a person with disability from exploitation,
by voiding a marriage where they did not understand the nature and effect of marriage, it is not
intended to result in a barrier for people with a disability to marry.
Authorised celebrants should not assume a person lacks capacity based on appearances eg,
advanced age, a disability, physical impairment or where the person has difficulty communicating.
Many people may have difficulty communicating and expressing themselves however, with
assistance, their capacity for making their own decisions is clear. There are many support tools that
can be used to assist in communication, such as Auslan, a word or picture board or other Alternative
and Augmentative Communication system (such as picture boards or computer programs) that
might be used by the person.
8.6.6 Identifying consent issues
The following questions may assist a celebrant to identify situations where consent issues may arise:
• Is one party silent or looking down all the time?
• Has the couple been accompanied by extended family or friends who do some or much of
the talking in response to the celebrant’s questions?
• Does one party answer all of the questions for the other party as well as for themselves?
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• Is there any sign that a party cannot manage their own affairs, for example, being in full care
in a nursing home or being subject to a guardianship order?
• Does one of the parties seem vague or unclear about the purpose of the meeting with the
celebrant, or are they unable to give any information about themselves and why they want
to be married?
• Does the party understand English? If not, the celebrant should insist that an interpreter is
used or, if an interpreter is not available, pass the marriage onto a celebrant who speaks
that language.
8.7 MARRIAGEABLE AGE IN AUSTRALIA
The marriageable age in Australia is 18 years.
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A person under the age of 16 cannot marry under
any circumstances. Two people under the age of 18 cannot marry under any circumstances.
It is an offence for a person to solemnise, or purport to solemnise, a marriage if the person has
reason to believe that one or both of the parties are not of marriageable age. The celebrant must
therefore carefully check the age of both parties from their birth certificates or extracts. It is also an
offence for a person to go through a form of ceremony of marriage with a person who is not of
marriageable age.
59
For further information on offences, refer to Part 12 of these guidelines.
In circumstances in which one of the parties to a marriage is not of marriageable age, the marriage is
void unless the required orders and consents have been obtained (see below).
8.8 REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE OF A MINOR – WHEN ONE PARTY IS
AGED 16-18 YEARS
8.8.1 The minimum requirements
The two minimum requirements under which a person aged between 16 and 18 years may marry a
person over the age of 18 are:
• a judge or magistrate has made an order authorising the person to marry a particular person
of marriageable age (over 18 years), and
• the required consents (e.g. parental, guardian etc) have been given or dispensed with.
It is important to note that parental consent to the marriage of an underage person is generally
required but is not sufficient on its own. There must be a court order authorising the marriage in all
cases.
These minimum requirements are explained below.
58
Section 11 of the Marriage Act.
59
Section 95 of the Marriage Act.
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It is a minor’s responsibility to make an application to a Judge or magistrate for an order, and to
obtain any written consents needed. If a minor needs assistance, they should consider seeking legal
advice. A celebrant must not solemnise the marriage unless the two requirements above are met.
The celebrant should carefully ascertain the facts and circumstances of the party who is aged less
than 18 years to ensure that the necessary consents have been obtained. It is the celebrant’s
responsibility to ensure that necessary requirements have been met before they solemnise the
marriage.
The Marriage Regulations set out additional requirements that must be met in relation to a minor’s
marriage. The Marriage Regulations make it clear that:
• the minor must give the marriage celebrant the order made by the Judge or
magistrate (subsection 8(2))
• the marriage celebrant must not solemnise the marriage unless they have been
given the order before the ceremony (subsection 8(3)), and
• the marriage celebrant must indicate on the Notice of Intended Marriage form,
before they solemnise the marriage, that they were given the consents and the
order (paragraph 70(2)(b)).
The celebrant may accept a NOIM for a party that is under the age of 18 years, if they will be 18
years at the date of the marriage. No consents or court orders will be required in this situation.
8.8.2 First requirement – court order
A person aged 16 to 18 years may apply to a Judge or magistrate in a state or territory for an order
authorising them to marry a particular person of marriageable age.
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The authorisation of a Judge or
magistrate is required in all cases where one party is under the age of 18 years.
Application to the Judge or magistrate must be made by the person seeking the order, and must be
made in the approved form, the notice of application for order authorising marriage under
marriageable age, which is available on the department’s website
.
The procedure for a person under marriageable age to make an application for a court order for
permission to marry is set out in sections 7 to 33 of the Marriage Regulations.
A celebrant must ensure the court order has been obtained before solemnising the marriage. The
marriage must take place within three months after the date of the court order.
If either party is under marriageable age, the marriage is invalid unless the required court order and
consents have been obtained.
60
Section 14 of the Marriage Act.
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Should a marriage involving an underage person take place without the required court order and
consents the marriage celebrant may have committed an offence.
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The marriage will also be void.
62
8.8.3 What will the Judge or magistrate consider when making the decision?
The Judge or magistrate must be satisfied of two things:
• that the applicant is at least 16 years, and
• the circumstances of the case are so exceptional and unusual as to justify the making of the
order.
Whether or not the order is made is at the discretion of the Judge or magistrate.
If the order is not granted the person cannot marry even if parental consent has been granted.
If the order is granted authorising the particular marriage, the applicant is of marriageable age in
relation to their marriage to that particular person (also of marriageable age) specified in the order
but not otherwise.
The marriage must take place within three months of the court order.
It is recommended that celebrants advise parties, or their parents, seeking such an order to seek
legal advice. It is not possible to provide any guidance as to the circumstances under which an order
may be granted as that is entirely a matter for the Judge or magistrate concerned. The Marriage Act
requires that the circumstances must be ‘exceptional’ and ‘unusual’.
8.8.4 Second requirement – consent
In addition to the court order, it is also necessary to obtain the consent of any person whose consent
to the marriage is required. This is usually the parents of the party who is not of marriageable age.
63
The marriage must be solemnised within three months of the date of this consent.
64
Such consents are not necessary if the party has already been previously married. A court order is
still required in such a case.
61
See section 95 and potentially section 100 of the Marriage Act if the celebrant had reason to
believe there was a legal impediment. See Part 12
of these guidelines for Offences.
62
Paragraph 23B(1)(e) of the Marriage Act.
63
Section 13 of the Marriage Act.
64
Section 13 of the Marriage Act.
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Unless this consent is the consent of a Judge or magistrate (under Part II of the Marriage Act), it
must be in writing and must
65
:
a) identify the person giving the consent
b) identify the parties to the intended marriage, and
c) indicate the capacity in which the person’s consent is required.
Where a celebrant solemnises the marriage of a minor and a document is produced to the celebrant
as the consent of the person whose consent is required by the Marriage Act, the celebrant must, by
writing on the consent, state the manner in which they satisfied themselves that the person who
gave the consent is a person whose consent is so required.
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This does not apply to the consent of a
Judge, a magistrate given under Part II of the Marriage Act.
67
8.8.5 How may a person who is illiterate or a person with a disability consent?
In all circumstances, the person before whom the consent is given (for example the marriage
celebrant) has to be satisfied that the person giving the consent understands what they are
consenting to, and that consent is given freely. Generally, the celebrant before whom the consent is
given should be satisfied that:
• the contents of the consent have been drawn to the attention of the person giving the
consent, and
• the person giving the consent understands the matter about which consent is being given,
including what they are consenting to and what this means.
Drawing the contents of the consent to the attention of the person giving the consent can include
reading the consent, or communicating it to the person in a way that would make the content of the
consent clear to them. For example, if the person is vision impaired, the celebrant could: read the
content of the consent to them; show the consent to them using a computer with a screen reader,
text-to-speech software or a braille display; or use other technology for the vision impaired.
If the person giving the consent is physically incapable of signing the consent, the person before
whom the consent is given should be satisfied that the person has indicated that the contents of the
consent are true.
It is recommended that celebrants before whom consent is given keep records of the steps they took
to draw a person’s attention to the contents of the consent; to establish understanding, and, if a
65
Section 9 of the Marriage Regulations.
66
Subsection 9(2) of the Marriage Regulations.
67
Subsection 9(3) of the Marriage Regulations.
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person is physically incapable of signing the consent, how the person giving the consent has
indicated that the contents of the consent are true.
8.8.6 What happens if a parent or guardian cannot be contacted to give consent?
In such cases the minor may apply to a prescribed authority to dispense with the consent of a person
whose consent to the marriage is required where their views are not known.
68
Where a parent refuses consent, or an application to a prescribed authority to dispense with
consent is refused, the minor may apply to a judge or magistrate for their consent in place of the
consent of the person whose consent is required.
69
There is a right of appeal, by either the minor or
the person in relation to whose consent the application was made, against a judge or magistrate’s
decision.
The procedure for a person to apply to a judge or magistrate for consent to marry in place of the
consent of the person whose consent is required is set out in sections 14 to 16 of the
Marriage Regulations.
8.8.7 What should a celebrant do if asked to marry a couple one of whom is
underage?
The celebrant should review the relevant parts of these guidelines before proceeding further.
The celebrant should also advise the parties that they need to obtain legal advice, the court order
and necessary consents before the celebrant can agree to marry them.
It is the celebrant’s responsibility to ensure that the necessary requirements have been met before
they solemnise the marriage. It is not the celebrant’s responsibility to arrange for the court order or
the necessary consents.
8.8.8 How can a celebrant ensure they are not marrying a couple when one party is
not of marriageable age?
Celebrants can take the following steps to ensure they are not solemnising a marriage where one
party is not of marriageable age:
• carefully check the age of both parties on their birth certificates
• remember the Marriage Act does not permit, under any circumstances, a marriage where
both parties are under marriageable age, and
• only marry a couple where one party is aged 16 to 18 years if the required court order and
consents have been obtained by the party.
68
Section 15 of the Marriage Act.
69
Section 16 of the Marriage Act.
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8.8.9 What must a celebrant forward to the BDM after a marriage in which one of the
parties is under marriageable age?
The consents—and any translations of them if relevant—must be forwarded to the BDM in the state
or territory where the marriage took place, along with the official marriage certificate, the court
order under section 12 of the Marriage Act and any other required documents within 14 days after
the marriage has taken place.
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PART 9 FOREIGN MARRIAGES
This part looks at the legal recognition in Australia of marriages that have occurred overseas, the
exceptions to such legal recognition, and the documents that may provide evidence of an overseas
marriage.
Marriages performed overseas by Defence Force chaplains are governed by a different part of the
Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations. For further information on marriages performed overseas
by Defence Force chaplains, see Part 9.4
of these guidelines.
9.1 LEGAL RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN MARRIAGES IN AUSTRALIA
Part VA of the Marriage Act deals with the recognition in Australia of marriages entered into outside
Australia under foreign laws. In general, if the marriage is recognised as valid under the law of the
country in which it was entered into, at the time when it was entered into, the marriage will be
recognised in Australia as a valid marriage. This is the case whether or not the marriage involves
Australian or non-Australian citizens. For further information on second marriage ceremonies, please
see Part 10
of these guidelines.
The Marriage Act does not provide for overseas marriages to be registered in Australia. Whether an
overseas marriage is recognised as valid in Australia is determined by the Marriage Act.
There are certain exceptions to the legal recognition of overseas marriage in Australia. These are
explained below.
9.2 EXCEPTIONS TO RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN MARRIAGES
The Marriage Act provides that a marriage that is valid under the laws of another country is not
recognised as valid in Australia if one or more of the following circumstances apply:
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a) where one of the parties was already married to someone else
b) where one of the parties was not of marriageable age (note further information below about
this exception)
c) where one of the parties are too closely related, under Australian law – that is, either as
ancestor and descendant (including adoptive ancestor/descendant relationships), or as
siblings (including half-siblings and adopted siblings), or
70
See sections 88D and 88E of the Marriage Act.
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d) where the consent of one of the parties was not a real consent due to
i. duress or fraud
ii. mistake, or
iii. mental incapacity.
9.2.1 Recognition in Australia of overseas marriage where one/both parties are
underage
If neither party was domiciled in Australia at the time of the marriage, the marriage is not recognised
in Australia as valid at any time while either party is under the age of 16 years.
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In this situation,
when both parties reach the age of 16 years, the marriage will be recognised in Australia as valid if
there are no other circumstances (such as the consent of either party not being real) that invalidate
the marriage.
However, if one of the parties was domiciled in Australia at the time of the marriage, both parties
must have been 18 years of age at the time of the marriage for it to be recognised in Australia as
valid.
72
As the word ‘domiciled’ has a particular legal meaning, celebrants should recommend that parties
seek professional legal advice about whether a particular situation falls within the circumstances
described above.
9.3 EVIDENCE OF FOREIGN MARRIAGE
A marriage certificate issued by a competent authority in a foreign country is evidence in Australia of
the occurrence and validity of the marriage.
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Couples should carefully retain their overseas
marriage certificate as it may not be easy to replace if lost and it provides the only evidence of the
overseas marriage. Overseas marriages cannot be registered in Australia.
Please note that it may not be possible to rely on a marriage certificate issued overseas for some
purposes in Australia. A party to a marriage which takes place overseas may not be able to rely on an
overseas marriage certificate to have an Australian driver licence or an Australian passport issued in
their married name.
Celebrants should request that any foreign marriage certificates in languages other than English are
translated by a NAATI endorsed translator if a person presents one (see Part 4.16
of these
guidelines).
71
Subsection 88D(3) of the Marriage Act.
72
Paragraph 88D(2)(b) of the Marriage Act.
73
Section 88G of the Marriage Act.
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If a person approaches a celebrant because an Australian Government agency has raised questions
about the recognition in Australia of the person’s foreign marriage, it is recommended that the
celebrant refer the couple to obtain legal advice.
9.4 MARRIAGES SOLEMNISED OVERSEAS BY CHAPLAINS AND
DEFENCE FORCE OFFICERS
The Marriage Act allows marriages to be solemnised overseas by, or in the presence of a,
Defence Force chaplain (chaplain) or a Defence Force officer authorised by the Chief of the Defence
Force (officer), in limited circumstances. One party to the intended marriage must be a member of
the Australian Defence Force. Part V of the Marriage Act only concerns marriages of members of the
Defence Force overseas. (Previous provisions in Part V of the Marriage Act that enabled Australian
consular officials to solemnise marriages were revoked on 1 January 1993.)
Defence Force chaplains and officers are authorised, under Part V of the Marriage Act, to solemnise
marriages in overseas countries where at least one party is a member of the Defence Force. Part V of
the Marriage Regulations deals with the solemnisation of marriages overseas.
For the purpose of Part V, an ‘overseas country’ means a country or place other than a part of the
Queen’s dominions, and includes a vessel which is for the time being in the territorial waters of such
a country or place. In time of war, ‘overseas country’ may be given an extended meaning to include
a part of the Queen’s dominion that is occupied by a State at war with the Commonwealth.
An authorised celebrant cannot solemnise marriages outside Australia under the Marriage Act unless
they are a chaplain or officer in the Defence Force (and one of the parties to the marriage is a
member of the Defence Force).
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No NOIM is required for a marriage solemnised by a chaplain or officer. The form of declaration as to
conjugal status to be made by the parties is the same as that approved for marriages in Australia.
The forms of marriage certificates are the same as those used for marriages in Australia. The
provisions of Part II (marriageable age and marriage of minors) of the Marriage Act do apply to
marriages solemnised overseas by chaplains or officers.
Chaplains and officers must keep a record of their used or destroyed Form 15 certificates for a
period of six years from the date of the use/destruction of the certificate. Marriages by chaplains or
officers are to be registered in Canberra by the Registrar of Overseas Marriages, which is a function
undertaken by the ACT Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
PART 10 SECOND MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
Under section 113 of the Marriage Act, persons who are already legally married to each other
cannot go through a further form or ceremony of marriage to each other in Australia or as a member
74
Section 71 of the Marriage Act.
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of the Australian Defence Force overseas, and it is an offence for a celebrant to purport to solemnise
such a marriage.
There are two exceptions to the rule in section 113. These are where:
• there is a doubt as to the legal validity of the previous marriage ceremony, or
• a couple who is already legally married wish to go through a religious marriage
ceremony. See Part 10.2
of these guidelines for information about a second religious
marriage ceremony.
10.1 SECOND MARRIAGE CEREMONY – DOUBT AS TO THE VALIDITY OF
PREVIOUS MARRIAGE CEREMONY
The first exception to the general rule against second marriage ceremonies allows ceremonies for
the purpose of eliminating any doubt that may exist as to whether persons are legally married. The
doubt must be a real one.
75
Before any such ceremony, the parties must produce to the proposed celebrant:
• a joint statutory declaration stating that they have previously gone through a form or
ceremony of marriage with each other and specifying the date, place and circumstances of
that ceremony. The joint statutory declaration must state that they are the parties
mentioned in the marriage certificate, and
• the statutory declaration must contain a certificate by a barrister or solicitor that, on the
facts stated in the declaration, there is in their opinion, a doubt whether the parties are
legally married or whether their marriage could be proved in legal proceedings.
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Once the above requirements are satisfied, the provisions of the Marriage Act apply to the second
marriage ceremony as if the parties were unmarried. A NOIM must be completed, the declarations
as to conjugal status must be made, and the marriage certificates must be prepared and dealt with
as if the parties were not married to each other, except that each copy of the certificate must bear
the following endorsement—using exactly the words below—and signed by the celebrant:
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“The form or ceremony of marriage between the parties took place or was performed in
accordance with subsection 113(2) of the Marriage Act 1961, the parties having previously
gone through a form or ceremony of marriage with each other on [date of marriage] at
[place of marriage]
Dated [date]
[Signature of authorised celebrant]”
75
Subsection 113(2) of the Marriage Act.
76
Paragraph 113(3)(b) of the Marriage Act.
77
Subsection 113(4) of the Marriage Act and section 84 of the Marriage Regulations.
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10.2 SECOND RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
The other exception to the general rule against second marriage ceremonies arises where two
people already married to each other wish to go through a religious marriage ceremony.
78
This may
be in order to renew their marriage vows, to follow a civil ceremony by a religious ceremony, or to
have two religious ceremonies in churches of different denominations.
In the case of a second religious marriage ceremony, the celebrant must not prepare or issue in
respect of the second ceremony, any certificate of marriage under or referring to the Marriage Act.
In addition, the celebrant must not issue any other document to the parties in respect of the
ceremony unless the parties are described in the document as being already legally married to each
other.
79
In relation to a second religious ceremony involving parties who are already married, the procedures
for the solemnisation of marriages under the Marriage Act do not apply. The NOIM, declarations as
to conjugal status, and so on, are not to be given.
80
A couple wishing to have a second religious marriage ceremony must provide the proposed
celebrant with the following:
81
• a certificate of their existing marriage, and
• a statement signed by them, to be witnessed by the proposed celebrant, that they have
previously gone through a form or ceremony of marriage with each other; they are the
parties mentioned in the certificate of marriage produced with the statement; and they have
no reason to believe that they are not legally married to each other or, if their marriage took
place outside Australia, they have no reason to believe that it would not be recognised as
valid in Australia.
78
Subsection 113(5) of the Marriage Act.
79
Subsection 113(6) of the Marriage Act.
80
Subsection 113(6) of the Marriage Act.
81
Paragraph 113(5)(b) of the Marriage Act.
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PART 11 OTHER MATTERS
11.1 SURPRISE WEDDINGS
11.1.1 What is a ‘surprise wedding’?
Surprise weddings involve one of the parties to the marriage being ‘surprised’, either at or shortly
before the ceremony. The most popular scenario involves one member of a couple wishing to
‘surprise’ the other party by organising the marriage without their knowledge and then presenting
them with the complete ceremony as a romantic gesture.
11.1.2 Would such a marriage be valid?
Celebrants must not participate in surprise wedding ceremonies. This is because there is no
guarantee that the marriage will be valid.
Surprise weddings raise an important and unavoidable issue in relation to legal validity of the
marriage. It is best described as potentially placing undue pressure on the ‘surprised’ person to
agree to the arrangement. Even if there is evidence that the person would previously have agreed to
a marriage proposal, their consent to marry must not be assumed. No person can be put under
pressure to enter into a marriage and the pressures imposed by a ‘surprise’ wedding could place in
doubt the validity of the marriage under section 23B of the Marriage Act, that is, that the person’s
consent to the marriage was not a real consent because it was obtained by duress or fraud. For
further information on the issue of consent please see Part 8.5
of these guidelines.
It is not however, considered a surprise wedding where both of the parties have signed the NOIM
and only the date of the wedding or event is the surprise component (provided that the minimum
one month notice has been given to the celebrant). In this situation, it is a matter for the celebrant
to ensure that both parties consent to the marriage, particularly where there has been some delay
since signing the NOIM. It may be necessary to meet separately with the parties to ensure that one,
or both, of the parties to the marriage have not changed their mind.
11.1.3 Accepting a NOIM in a surprise wedding scenario
Generally, the NOIM should be signed by both parties together, at the same time, when it is
provided to their celebrant. Subsection 42(3) of the Marriage Act enables a celebrant to accept a
NOIM with the signature of one party only where the signature of the other party cannot
‘conveniently be obtained’ at the time it is desired to give notice. The intention of this provision is to
enable a couple to give notice of their intended marriage with only one party signing the NOIM if the
other is overseas or interstate.
It is not intended to enable only one party to provide notice. In the case of a surprise wedding, the
signature of the other party can, essentially, be conveniently obtained. Celebrants should not accept
a NOIM signed by only one party in the case of a surprise wedding.
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11.1.4 If you are asked to solemnise a surprise wedding
If a person approaches a celebrant with a request for a ‘surprise’ wedding, the celebrant should:
• advise the person of the minimum requirements for a marriage (such as giving one month’s
notice for the NOIM) and refuse to solemnise the marriage,
• explain to the person why surprise weddings are potentially invalid (that is because they
may raise issues of consent), and
• advise the BDM in the relevant state or territory in case marriage documents are submitted.
Participation by any Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant in a surprise ceremony may
result in disciplinary measures being imposed.
11.2 POP-UP WEDDINGS
‘Pop-up weddings’ are a growing trend in the wedding industry. A pop-up wedding generally involves
a marriage celebrant working with other wedding industry suppliers (for example, photographers,
decorators and florists) to provide wedding ceremonies. There is no restriction in the Marriage Act
or the Marriage Regulations on authorised celebrants participating in pop-up weddings. However,
your involvement in a pop-up wedding must not interfere with your ability to comply with your
duties and obligations as a marriage celebrant.
11.3 CEREMONIES AS PRIZES
If a celebrant is approached to participate in a marriage ceremony being given away as a ‘prize’, the
proposer must be advised that there are minimum requirements for a valid marriage ceremony.
As outlined above in Part 11.1
on surprise weddings, there may be an issue regarding the ability of
both of the parties to give the minimum one month’s notice to the celebrant. Additionally, a
marriage in such circumstances is unlikely to fall within the categories where the marriage may be
authorised by a prescribed authority despite late notice (discussed further in
Part 4.3 of these
guidelines).
The following steps should be taken by a celebrant in the event that they are approached to
participate in this type of marriage ceremony:
• advise the person of the minimum requirements for a marriage and ensure that the proposal
meets the legal requirements
• advise the BDM in the relevant state or territory as they may be approached for authority to
allow the solemnisation of a marriage despite late notice.
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11.4 FEES FOR SOLEMNSING MARRIAGES
All Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants may charge each couple an appropriate fee for
solemnising a marriage. The amount of the fee is a matter between the celebrant and the couple.
Similarly, there are no prescribed fees in relation to BDM officials who solemnise marriages.
The Marriage Act does not affect the right of a minister of religion who is an authorised celebrant to
require or receive a fee for or in respect of the solemnisation of a marriage.
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However, a minister of
religion of a recognised denomination may have their name removed from the register if a Registrar
of Ministers of Religion is satisfied that the minister has been making a business of solemnising
marriages for the purpose of profit or gain.
83
11.5 STATUTORY DECLARATIONS
In addition to the declaration as to conjugal status required to be made by the parties to the
intended marriage, the Marriage Act requires or permits a statutory declaration to be made in a
number of cases.
There is a statutory declaration form that must be used for any Commonwealth statutory
declarations. This form is to be used for all statutory declarations relating to any marriage ceremony
solemnised by a celebrant. Celebrants should discard any old blank statutory declaration forms
purchased before November 2004 as they can no longer be used. Commonwealth statutory
declaration forms can be downloaded for free from the Attorney-General’s Department’s
website
and may be purchased from CanPrint Communications.
Any statutory declaration that must be completed in relation to a marriage must be provided on this
form only or it is not a valid statutory declaration. A statutory declaration form issued under state
and territory legislation or any other type of statutory declaration form is not acceptable for use
under the Marriage Act. If a person supplies a celebrant with a statutory declaration in relation to a
marriage on a different form the celebrant must get another statutory declaration from them on the
correct form.
A person who intentionally makes a false statement in a statutory declaration is guilty of an offence
against the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth) and is liable to four years imprisonment.
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11.6 COMMITMENT CEREMONIES
Celebrants may conduct commitment ceremonies for a couple. These are not marriages and the
commitment ceremony must not purport to be a marriage.
As a commitment ceremony is not considered a legal marriage, the celebrant must not prepare or
submit any paperwork (such as the NOIM and declarations as to conjugal status). Witnesses are not
82
Section 118 of the Marriage Act.
83
Paragraph 33(1)(d)(ii) of the Marriage Act.
84
Section 11 of the Statutory Declarations Act.
106 | Page
required for a commitment ceremony. A certificate of marriage, or any other certificate referring to
the Marriage Act, must not be prepared for a commitment ceremony. In order to avoid doubt,
celebrants must avoid using the words ‘wedding’ or ‘marriage’ to describe the ceremony.
A commitment ceremony could incorporate important rituals and provide photographic records;
however, it has to be publicly made clear to everyone present that the ceremony is not a marriage.
Celebrants should deliver an appropriate introduction at the beginning of the ceremony making it
clear to the guests that the ceremony is not a marriage ceremony and that if applicable the marriage
has already occurred or is due to occur at a later date.
11.7 RENEWAL OF VOWS CEREMONIES
Celebrants may also conduct renewal of vows ceremonies for a couple. The information in Part 11.6
of these guidelines (commitment ceremonies) is applicable for renewal of vows ceremonies.
11.8 ARE CELEBRANTS OBLIGED TO SOLEMNISE ANY MARRIAGE?
Section 47 of the Marriage Act provides that a minister of religion who is an authorised celebrant is
not obliged to solemnise any marriage.
85
It also allows a minister of religion to make it a condition of
solemnising a marriage that requirements additional to those provided by the Act are observed.
86
While there is no similar provision in the Act for celebrants who are not ministers of religion (apart
from section 47A, discussed below), the Act does not impose a positive obligation on such a
celebrant to solemnise any marriage. A celebrant with concerns about whether to solemnise a
marriage is entitled to not proceed.
Section 47A of the Marriage Act provides that a religious marriage celebrant may refuse to
solemnise a marriage if the celebrant’s religious beliefs do not allow the celebrant to solemnise the
marriage. The grounds upon which a religious marriage celebrant may refuse to solemnise a
marriage is not limited under section 47A.
In considering this question, celebrants should be aware of their obligations under
anti-discrimination laws. The Code of Practice
for marriage celebrants requires
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants to observe the laws of the Commonwealth and of
the state or territory where the marriage is solemnised, and to prevent and avoid unlawful
discrimination in the provision of marriage celebrancy services.
For information on anti-discrimination laws celebrants should consult the Australian Human Rights
Commission.
85
See subsection 47(1) of the Marriage Act.
86
See subsection 47(2) of the Marriage Act.
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11.9 PRIVACY
A celebrant has access to the personal information of marrying couples. It is important that this
information is treated sensitively. Personal information can include names, contact details, dates of
birth, passport numbers and other identifying or sensitive information.
Before a celebrant passes on any personal information of a party to an intended marriage for
whatever reason (including to seek advice from the department) they should first obtain the party’s
permission. If a party does not wish their details to be passed on the celebrant should respect this
decision. There are certain exceptional circumstances where this would not apply, such as reporting
a suspected forced marriage to the police.
If a celebrant makes copies of a party’s documents that contain personal information the celebrant
should advise the party why they are making copies, how they will be stored and when and how they
will be disposed of.
A celebrant will not be breaching privacy by asking for personal information from parties to an
intended marriage in order to satisfy themselves that the marriage can be validly solemnised.
11.10 COPYRIGHT AND MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS
It is not the role of a marriage celebrant to obtain any necessary copyright licenses or permissions,
however celebrants may be asked about some of these issues by couples as they plan their marriage
ceremony or wedding reception. The below information is general information only and is not a
substitute for legal advice. More information about copyright in Australia can be found below and on
the Department of Communications and the Arts website
.
11.10.1 Playing music at weddings
Playing music in public requires permission from the owners of copyright in the music, lyrics and the
sound recording. The couple’s wedding professional or venue may already have certain copyright
licenses. However, performances of music at events such as weddings will not generally be in public
even if they occur in a hotel, wedding hall or restaurant, as these events are considered private in
nature.
11.10.2 Reproducing poetry or literature
Copyright in published works generally subsists for the life of the author plus 70 years (and will have
expired if the death of the author was prior to 1 July 1958). If the work is first published after the
death of the author, copyright in the published work subsists for 70 years from the date of the first
publication.
Reproducing a literary or dramatic work on a printed order of service (as opposed to merely reciting
it) may require the permission of the copyright owner (author or publisher). Taking one short poem
or extract from a large edition is unlikely to require permission from the owner of the copyright in
the edition.
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11.10.3 Reading or reciting an extract from a book
Reading or reciting a reasonable portion of a published literary or dramatic work in public (provided
the work is acknowledged) is an exception to copyright and no permission needs to be obtained.
11.10.4 Reproducing hymn or song lyrics in wedding booklets
As literary works, hymns or song lyrics are generally protected for the life of the lyricist plus 70 years.
Where the author died before 1 July 1958, copyright will have expired. Therefore, in many older
hymns or songs, they can be freely used. If the lyricist is still alive permission to reprint the lyrics may
be required. If there is doubt about who the music publisher is, or their contact details, the
Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners’ Society (AMCOS) may be able to assist.
11.10.5 Filming wedding ceremonies
The Australasian Performing Right Association and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners
Society (APRA|AMCOS) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) provide a
one-stop licence for incorporating music into films of weddings where those films have been made
solely for the purpose of domestic viewing. The licence covers the separate rights in the underlying
works and associated sound recordings.
11.10.6 Moral rights
In addition to economic rights, authors of works also have moral rights over their works. This means
that where material is reproduced, although a licence or permission from the copyright owner may
not be necessary or has been obtained, there are still requirements to acknowledge the author and
to not falsely attribute the work. Moral rights also protect the author against the derogatory
treatment of their work. Caution should be exercised when making changes to hymns, literary pieces
and musical works. Moral rights over literary, musical or artistic works last for the duration of
copyright protection.
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PART 12 OFFENCES
The following Part outlines the offences contained in the Marriage Act that are relevant to
celebrants, couples and other persons involved in the marriage ceremony.
12.1 WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CELEBRANTS TO KNOW ABOUT OFFENCES
UNDER THE MARRIAGE ACT
It is important that celebrants are aware of Marriage Act offences as they reflect the serious nature
of the legal obligations attending the role and responsibilities of the celebrant.
They also reflect the importance of couples taking due care in supplying material to the celebrant in
relation to their marriage.
A marriage at which a celebrant has officiated and in which false or inaccurate statements are made
on a NOIM, or a ceremony at which an unauthorised person has purported to solemnise a marriage,
may still be valid under section 48 of the Marriage Act.
Despite this, a celebrant may find themselves facing an investigation for potentially breaching one of
the offence provisions because the celebrant has not fulfilled their responsibilities and duties under
the Marriage Act properly.
This reflects the policy approach underlying the Marriage Act which places the responsibility on the
celebrant to ensure that only valid marriages are solemnised under the Marriage Act and that all the
requirements of the Marriage Act are followed. Section 48 may protect the validity of the marriage
of a couple from many of a celebrant’s failings, but the celebrant may still be subject to the offence
provisions.
12.2 OFFENCES RELEVANT TO CELEBRANTS
Under the Marriage Act the following offences may be committed by a celebrant.
12.2.1 Section 99 – solemnising marriage where notice or declaration not given or
made etc
Section 99 of the Marriage Act provides that it is an offence for a celebrant or person to solemnise a
marriage Australia in contravention of the following sections in the Act:
• Section 13 – provides that a marriage must not be solemnised if the appropriate consents
required for the marriage of an underage person have not been obtained.
• Subsection 33(3) provides that a person who has been served a notice under subsection 33,
shall not solemnise a marriage unless and until the person has been notified that the
Registrar of Ministers of Religion has decided not to remove the person’s name from the
register; a period of 14 days has elapsed from the date the person was notified by the
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Registrar and the person’s name has not been removed from the register; or the person’s
name, having been removed, is restored to the register.
• Section 42 – provides that a celebrant must not solemnise a marriage if they have any
reason to believe that the NOIM, the declaration or any statutory declaration supplied
contains a false statement or an error or is defective. The offences in section 99 also cover
the provision of the NOIM within the required time (or obtaining a shortening of time), the
production of evidence of date and place of birth as required, completion of the parties’
declaration, sighting evidence of the end of any previous marriage as a result of death or
divorce and ensuring that the celebrant has satisfied themselves as to the identities of the
parties referred to in the NOIM.
• Section 44 – provides that a marriage must not be solemnised unless there are at least two
persons present as witnesses to the marriage who are, or appear to the person solemnising
the marriage, to be over the age of 18 years.
• Section 112 – provides that a marriage must not be solemnised unless the requirements
relating to the use of interpreters have been met.
• Subsection 113(1) – provides that a person authorised by the Marriage Act must not purport
to solemnise a marriage between persons who inform the celebrant that they are already
legally married to each other or whom the celebrant knows or has reason to believe are
already legally married to each other.
• Section 99 – also provides for offences in relation to the solemnisation of marriages overseas
under Part V of the Marriage Act in relation to giving a declaration, being satisfied as to the
parties’ identity, obtaining consents in relation to minors, and ensuring the citizenship
requirements of the parties to the marriage are satisfied (sections 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78 of
the Marriage Act).
The penalty for an offence under section 99 is five penalty units or imprisonment for six months.
12.2.2 Section 100 – Legal impediment
Section 100 of the Marriage Act provides that it is an offence for a person to solemnise a marriage,
or purport to solemnise a marriage, if they have reason to believe that there is a legal impediment to
the marriage or if the person has reason to believe the marriage would be void.
Consequently it would be an offence for a celebrant to solemnise a marriage if they believed that
either of the parties was already married to some other person, the parties are within a prohibited
relationship, either of the parties was not of marriageable age (and judicial orders and required
consents had not been given) or if the consent of either of the parties to the marriage was not a real
consent.
The penalty for contravening section 100 is five penalty units or imprisonment for six months.
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12.2.3 Section 101 – Solemnisation of marriage by unauthorised person
Section 101 of the Marriage Act provides that it is an offence for a person to solemnise a marriage,
or to purport to solemnise a marriage, unless the person is authorised by or under the Marriage Act
to solemnise marriages.
Celebrants who have been deregistered (for example, for not paying the celebrant registration
charge or for not completing their OPD) may be subject to criminal conviction under this provision if
they continued to solemnise marriages.
The penalty for contravening section 101 is five penalty units or imprisonment for six months.
12.3 OFFENCES RELEVANT TO COUPLES
Celebrants should advise couples of the following offences that may be applicable to them:
• Section 94 (bigamy) – it is an offence for a person to marry a person while still married to
some other person.
The penalty for contravention of section 94 is imprisonment for five years.
• Subsection 95(1) – provides that it is an offence to go through a form or ceremony of
marriage with a person who is not of marriageable age (unless all requirements concerning
consents and judicial order are met).
The penalty for contravention of subsection 95(1) is imprisonment for five years.
• Subsection 95(2) – provides that it is an offence to go through a form or ceremony of
marriage with a person who is a minor (that is, a person aged under 18) without the minor
first obtaining consent to marry from their parents (or other prescribed person). The
requirement for consent does not apply if the minor has previously been married.
The penalty for contravention of subsection 95(2) is imprisonment for six months.
• Section 103 – provides that it is an offence for a person to go through a form or ceremony of
marriage with another person knowing that the person solemnising the marriage is not
authorised to do so, and having reason to believe that the other party to the marriage
believes the person solemnising the marriage is authorised.
The penalty for contravention of section 103 is five penalty units or imprisonment for
six months.
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• Section 104 – provides that it is an offence for a person to give a NOIM under section 42 or
the declaration required under section 42 or sign such notices after they have been given if,
to the knowledge of that person, the notice contains a false statement or error or is
defective.
The penalty for contravention of section 104 is five penalty units or imprisonment for
six months.
12.4 OFFENCES RELATING TO FORCED MARRIAGE
On 27 February 2013 the Australian Parliament enacted the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery,
Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Act 2013 (Cth) which amended the Criminal Code Act
1995 (Cth) to strengthen the capacity of investigators and prosecutors to combat all forms of human
trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, including by introducing new offences of forced
marriage. The Criminal Code defines a forced marriage as one where, because of coercion, threat or
deception, a person (the victim) enters into a marriage without freely and fully consenting.
‘Coercion, threat or deception’ includes a broad range of physical and non-physical conduct that may
be used by a person against the victim, or another person, to cause the victim to enter into a
marriage.
The Criminal Code includes two offences of forced marriage:
• causing another person to enter into a forced marriage, and
• being a party to a forced marriage (this offence does not apply to the victim of a forced
marriage).
Both offences have penalties of a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment, or nine years’
imprisonment in the case of an aggravated offence (for example, where the victim is less than
18 years old, or the offender subjects the victim to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment).
If a celebrant suspects that they may be involved in a forced marriage they should contact the
Australian Federal Police or their local police immediately. The website, My Blue Sky
, is a
comprehensive online resource aimed at preventing and addressing forced marriage in Australia.
My Blue Sky functions as a referral mechanism for people in, or at risk of, forced marriage, as well as
a source of information and resources for service providers and the general public. The My Blue Sky
website allows Anti-Slavery Australia to provide nationwide free, individualised legal advice to
persons at risk of, or the victim of, forced marriage, primarily via email and SMS. Preliminary
assistance, including free, confidential legal advice about forced marriage, is also available from
My Blue Sky, through the national forced marriage helpline, on 02 9514 8115.
The My Blue Sky helpline operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, with an out-of-hours
recorded message. My Blue Sky can be found at: www.mybluesky.org.au.
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The forced marriage offences do not criminalise arranged marriages. In a forced marriage, the victim
does not consent to the marriage. An arranged marriage is a marriage whereby the spouses have the
right to accept or refuse the marriage arrangement that their respective families have made.
12.5 OFFENCES RELATING TO STATUTORY DECLARATIONS
It is also important to note that a person who intentionally makes a false statement in a statutory
declaration is guilty of an offence against the Statutory Declarations Act
and is liable to four years
imprisonment.
87
87
Section 11 of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959.
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PART 13 REGISTERING AND RETIRING AS A CELEBRANT
13.1 MINISTERS OF RELIGION
13.1.1 Authorisation of ministers of religion from recognised denominations to
solemnise marriages
A minister of religion of a recognised denomination is entitled to be registered to solemnise
marriages if the person is:
88
• nominated for registration by the recognised denomination
• ordinarily resident in Australia, and
• at least 21 years of age.
Applications by religious bodies or organisations seeking recognised denomination status are
assessed against specific guidelines. Information on becoming a recognised denomination is
available on the department’s website
. Ministers of religion of recognised denominations are
regulated by the Registrar of BDM in the state they reside. If a minister of religion of a recognised
denomination takes up residence in a new state or territory, the minister should notify the BDMs in
their new and previous state/territory of residence of their new residential address.
More information on becoming a recognised denomination is set out in the ‘Fact sheet – recognised
denominations’ available on the department’s website
. Enquiries about becoming a recognised
denomination should be directed to the department.
13.1.2 Grounds for refusing to register a minister of religion from a recognised
denomination to solemnise marriages
The Registrar of Ministers of Religion (each state and territory BDM Registrar holds this position)
may refuse an application to register a minister of a recognised denomination to solemnise
marriages on the following grounds:
89
• there are already sufficient registered ministers of religion of the denomination to meet
the needs of the locality in which the applicant resides
• the applicant is not a fit and proper person to solemnise marriages, or
• the applicant is unlikely to devote a substantial part of their time to the performance of
functions generally performed by a minister of religion.
88
Section 29 of the Marriage Act.
89
Section 31 of the Marriage Act.
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The minister of religion may seek a review of such a decision by the Administrative Appeals
Tribunal.
90
Each recognised denomination has at least one nominating authority who is a person responsible for
nominating the denomination’s ministers of religion for registration to solemnise marriages.
Recognised denominations notify the department of the name/s of the nominating authority/ies.
The department keeps a list of nominating authorities. The nomination of a minister of religion for
authorisation to solemnise marriages by the recognised denomination must be in the approved form
(available on the department’s website
) and signed by the nominating authority. The applicant
minister must complete an application form (also available on the Attorney-General’s Department
website) and a statutory declaration verifying the particulars in the application. The nomination and
application forms, and the statutory declaration, are also available from CanPrint Communications.
Once completed and signed, the nomination, application and statutory declaration should be
forwarded to the Registrar of Ministers of Religion (the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages) in
the state or territory in which the applicant ordinarily resides.
13.1.3 Grounds for removing a minister of religion of a recognised denomination from
the register of ministers of religion
A state or territory Registrar of Births, Deaths or Marriages, may remove the name of a minister of
religion of a recognised denomination from the register if:
91
• the person has requested their name be removed
• the person has died
• the denomination no longer desires the person to be a celebrant or has ceased to be a
recognised denomination
• the person has been guilty of such contraventions of the Marriage Act or the
Marriage Regulations that they are no longer a fit and proper person to be registered
• the person has made a business of solemnising marriages for profit or gain, or
• the person is for any other reasons not a fit and proper person to solemnise marriages.
The minister of religion concerned may seek a review of such a decision from the Administrative
Appeals Tribunal.
92
90
Section 34 of the Marriage Act.
91
Section 33 of the Marriage Act.
92
Section 34 of the Marriage Act.
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13.2 COMMONWEALTH-REGISTERED MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS
People wishing to apply to become a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant must have
completed the Certificate IV in Celebrancy, which includes marriage celebrancy units, awarded by a
registered training organisation. Alternatively, a course by an approved university or celebrancy
skills, including fluency in an indigenous language, meets the qualification requirements to make an
application for registration as a marriage celebrant.
A person is only entitled to be a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant if the Registrar of
Marriage Celebrants is satisfied that the person:
93
(i) is aged 18 years or over
(ii) has the necessary qualifications and/or skills as determined by the Registrar; and
(iii) is a fit and proper person to be a celebrant.
In determining whether a person is ‘fit and proper’ the Registrar must take into account a number of
factors, whether the person: has sufficient knowledge of the law relating to the solemnisation of
marriage; is committed to advising couples of the availability of relationship support services; has
good standing in the community; has not been convicted of an offence (punishable by imprisonment
for one year or longer); whether the person has a conflict of interest or would gain a benefit in
respect of another business; and will fulfil the obligations under section 39G of the Marriage Act (set
out below). The Registrar may take into account ‘any other matter considered relevant’ in assessing
a person as fit and proper.
An applicant is required to successfully answer a series of legal questions about marriage law and
process. Applicants are required to pay a registration application fee.
13.2.1 Obligations of Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants
After registration each celebrant is responsible for paying an annual registration charge
94
unless
exempted. This is pro-rated depending on the time of year a new celebrant is registered. Exemptions
from paying these fees and charges are available in certain circumstances
95
– see ‘Guidelines for
seeking an exemption from the application registration fee and the
annual celebrant registration
charge’. Failure to pay the charge will result in deregistration unless an exemption from payment has
been granted.
The obligations of Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants are outlined in section 39G of the
Marriage Act.
93
Subsection 39C(1) of the Marriage Act.
94
Section 39FA of the Marriage Act.
95
Section 49 of the Marriage Regulations.
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Section 39G requires each Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant to:
• conduct themselves in accordance with the Code of Practice
for marriage celebrants
prescribed by the Schedule 2 to the Marriage Regulations – see paragraph 39G(1)(a)of the
Act (discussed in
Part 13.2.2 of these guidelines)
• undertake all professional development activities required by the Registrar of Marriage
Celebrants in accordance with the Marriage Regulations – see paragraph 39G(1)(b) of the
Act (discussed further in Part 13.2.3
of these guidelines), and
• notify the Registrar, in writing, of a change in a person’s details no longer being current or
correct on the register, within 30 days; or notify the Registrar of the occurrence of an event
that might have caused the Registrar to not register the person if the event had occurred
before the person was registered – paragraph 39G(c) of the Act (discussed further in
Part 13.2.4
of these guidelines).
More information on these obligations is detailed below.
13.2.2 The Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants are required to comply with the Code of Practice
in
Schedule 2 to the Marriage Regulations.
96
The Code of Practice imposes legal obligations on all
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants – that is, marriage celebrants (category C authorised
celebrants) and religious marriage celebrants (category D celebrants).
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants should have a copy of the Code of Practice
prominently displayed where marrying couples can see it, or provide a copy to couples to take away
with them.
Some important aspects of the Code of Practice include:
• Item 2 – requires Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants to maintain a high
standard of service in their professional conduct and practice. This includes ensuring:
─ appropriate personal presentation for marriage ceremonies
─ punctuality for marriage ceremonies, and
─ accuracy in preparation of documents and in the conduct of marriage ceremonies.
96
Paragraph 39G(a) of the Marriage Act.
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This list is not intended to limit what conduct and practice is captured by item 2. For example, the
Registrar of Marriage Celebrants would also expect a marriage celebrant providing a high standard
of service to: confirm details about a marriage with the parties to the marriage; take steps to ensure
that the marriage ceremony is audible, and ensure that an appropriately high standard of service is
provided to all marriages the celebrant solemnises, including where the marriage celebrant is
solemnising multiple marriages on the same day.
• Item 5 – lists a number of requirements relating to the preparation for, and the conduct of,
the marriage ceremony. Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must:
- give the parties information and guidance to enable them to choose or compose a
marriage ceremony, including information to assist the parties in deciding on whether a
marriage ceremony rehearsal is appropriate or needed, and
- respect the privacy and confidentiality of the couple by:
• arranging facilities to interview parties
• dealing appropriately with personal documents and information, and
• securely storing records; ensuring the return of personal documents relating to the
parties as soon as practicable (unless needed for the ceremony).
• Item 6 – requires Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants to maintain up-to-date
knowledge about the range of information and services designed to enhance and sustain
marrying couples throughout their relationship, not just in the period immediately preceding
the marriage ceremony. Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must also inform
marrying couples about this range of services. Meeting this obligation requires ongoing
action by Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants. The family relationship services
available in their area should be reviewed by them annually at least to ensure the
information they provide to marrying couples is up-to-date.
Whether a high standard of service has been provided will depend on the particular circumstances
of each marriage.
13.2.3 Ongoing professional development
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must complete:
• ongoing professional development (OPD) activities totaling five hours each (calendar) year,
and
• as part of their five hours of OPD complete any compulsory activity set by the Registrar of
Marriage Celebrants.
97
97
See paragraph 39G(b) of the Marriage Act and section 53 of the Marriage Regulations.
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Information about the OPD obligations of Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants is
published on the department’s website
. The Registrar is required to publish a list, at the beginning of
each year, with a list of OPD activities (this may be updated from time-to-time).
98
It is the responsibility of all Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants to regularly monitor the
department’s website to ensure they have fully complied with their OPD obligations each year. If
celebrants do not comply with their OPD obligations, the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants may take
disciplinary measures against them. The department encourages all Commonwealth-registered
marriage celebrants to ensure that they maintain current professional indemnity insurance as they
may be legally liable for actions taken in solemnising a marriage.
13.2.4 Informing the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants of changes to personal
circumstances
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must inform the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants of
any changes to their contact details, including phone numbers and email address, within 30 days.
This information must be provided in writing.
99
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must also notify the Registrar in writing if something
occurs that might affect their entitlement to registration.
100
This may include:
• being convicted of a criminal offence
• starting a new business, hobby or employment that is related to weddings or marriage and
that might create a potential conflict of interest with the performance of their duties as a
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant (for further information see the Conflict of
Interest guidelines on the department’s website
), or
• a change in employment.
Meeting this obligation requires ongoing action on the part of all Commonwealth-registered
marriage celebrants.
The online self-service portal allows Commonwealth-registered marriage
celebrants to make changes to their own contact details.
Notifying the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages is not the same as notifying the Registrar of
Marriage Celebrants. You must notify the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants separately.
13.2.5 Performance reviews
Section 39H of the Marriage Act enables the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants to, from time to time,
review the performance of a marriage celebrant in respect of a period of time to determine whether
98
As a legislative instrument, the list is required to be published on Federal Register of Legislation
99
Paragraph 39G(1)(c)(i) of the Marriage Act.
100
Paragraph 39G(1)(c)(ii) of the Marriage Act.
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the Registrar considers that celebrant’s performance in the period is satisfactory. In carrying out the
performance review, the Registrar must take into account certain matters, including:
101
• any complaint about the celebrant, what the result of the complaint was, and whether the
celebrant has complied with any action required as a result of the complaint
• any information received by the Registrar concerning the performance of the duties of a
celebrant
• whether the celebrant has complied with the Code of Practice
for marriage celebrants
• whether the celebrant has completed the required OPD, and whether the celebrant has
developed any physical or mental incapacity that prevents them from continuing to carry
out their duties as a marriage celebrant.
If any compliance issues arise, Commonwealth-registered celebrants will be given the opportunity to
respond before any action is taken against them by the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants.
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants need to be aware that the Registrar of Marriage
Celebrants may take disciplinary measures against them if they fail to meet their obligations. The list
of available disciplinary measures and the circumstances in which they are able to be imposed are
set out in section 39I of the Marriage Act.
13.3 DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
The Registrar can only take disciplinary measures against a Commonwealth-registered marriage
celebrant if satisfied of one of the following circumstances:
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• the celebrant is no longer entitled to be registered
• the celebrant has not complied with an obligation under section 39G of the Marriage Act
• the celebrant’s performance was determined to be not satisfactory as a result of a
performance review under section 39H of the Marriage Act
• after considering a complaint made against the marriage celebrant the Registrar considers it
appropriate to take disciplinary measures
• the marriage celebrant’s application for registration was known by the marriage celebrant to
be false or misleading in a material particular, or
• the marriage celebrant’s notice requesting to be identified as a religious marriage celebrant
was known by the marriage celebrant to be false or misleading in a material particular.
101
Section 39H of the Marriage Act, and section 59 of the Marriage Regulations.
102
Section 39I(1) of the Marriage Act.
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The Registrar may take the following disciplinary action:
103
• a written caution
• the requirement to undertake particular professional development activities
• suspension for up to six months, or
• deregistration.
A celebrant who is deregistered or has their registration suspended has a right of review to the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
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13.4 RETIRING FROM THE ROLE OF COMMONWEALTH-REGISTERED
MARRIAGE CELEBRANT
To retire as a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant, celebrants must advise the department
in writing (see the template on the ‘Managing your registration’ webpage
) that they wish to resign.
Celebrants should quote their marriage celebrant authorisation number. Once this information is
received from a celebrant, the department will start the process to revoke their authorisation. Once
the process has been completed, the celebrant will be sent a letter advising that their authorisation
has been revoked, outlining record keeping obligations and what to do with any unused marriage
forms. Celebrants should advise the department of any future ceremonies they intend to perform to
ensure their revocation is not processed prior to these dates.
103
Section 39I Marriage Act.
104
Section 39J Marriage Act.
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GLOSSARY
Authorised celebrant collectively refers to ministers of religion of recognised denominations
(registered under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act); State and Territory
Officers (authorised by virtue of Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act);
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants, including religious marriage celebrants (registered
under Subdivision C and Subdivision D of Part IV of the Marriage Act); and ADF chaplains and
marriage officers authorised under Part V of the Marriage Act (see subsection 5(1) of the
Marriage Act).
BDM means an Australian State or Territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant means an authorised celebrant registered under
Subdivision C or Subdivision D of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act under the Marriage
Celebrants Programme.
Department refers to the Attorney-General’s Department.
Family Law Act means Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).
Marriage is defined under Australian law as the ‘union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others,
voluntarily entered into for life’ – subsection 5(1) of the Marriage Act.
Marriage Act means the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth).
Marriage Regulations means the Marriage Regulations 2017 (Cth). These repealed and replaced the
Marriage Regulations 1963.
Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) means the notice that parties to a marriage must give their
authorised celebrant before the marriage ceremony (subsection 42(1) of the Marriage Act).
Registrar means the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants established by section 39A of the Marriage Act
(unless otherwise specified).
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APPENDIX A – SAMPLE DIVORCE ORDERS
Sample of divorce order when there is a child or children of the marriage
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Sample divorce order when registrar is not satisfied arrangements are in place for the child
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Sample divorce order when there is no child of the marriage
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APPENDIX B – CHECKLIST – MARRIAGE CELEBRANT OBLIGATIONS
WHEN SOLEMNISING MARRIAGE
This is a checklist for completing marriage documents—before the ceremony, at the ceremony and
after the ceremony. The checklist is also available as a fact sheet on the department’s website – see
the Celebrant resources page
.
Before the ceremony
Finalise the notice of intended marriage (NOIM)
Ensure the couple provides the NOIM to you no later than one month and no earlier than 18
months before the ceremony (unless the couple obtains a shortening of time from a
prescribed authority
).
Record on the NOIM the date you receive it.
Check, and note on the NOIM, evidence of each party’s date and place of birth.
Satisfy yourself as to each party’s identity (AGD recommends checking photo ID).
Check that the full names of the parties are correctly recorded.
Check each party is free to marry, noting on the NOIM whether they are related and any
evidence you have seen about how any previous marriage ended.
Ensure an interpreter is present if you consider it necessary (eg. to establish each party is
giving real consent to the marriage) or the parties request one.
Type or use block letters, identifying upper and lower case where necessary, eg. McLEOD.
Make sure the NOIM is signed by both parties and has been witnessed by a person
authorised to do so (see the list contained on the NOIM).
Ο The NOIM may be signed by one party only where the other signature cannot be
conveniently obtained. The other party must sign the NOIM in the presence of the
authorised celebrant before the marriage is solemnised.
Complete the ‘For Celebrant’s Use’ section.
Give each of the parties a copy of the Happily Ever Before and After brochure, and note this
on the NOIM.
Make sure all questions on the NOIM are answered.
If either party is under 18 years of age
Make sure a court order and parental (or other) consents have been obtained.
Ο Marriage must take place within three months of the date of the court order and
parental consents.
Ο Under no circumstances can two persons under 18 years of age marry each other.
Ensure the parties complete their declarations of no legal impediment
Accurately and legibly copy information from the NOIM to the declaration.
Ο If a party’s address or occupation has changed since completing the NOIM, updated
details should be shown on the declaration, but the NOIM should not be amended.
Parties should sign their declarations as close as possible to the ceremony.
Prepare three marriage certificates before the ceremony
Accurately and legibly copy information from the NOIM to the three marriage certificates:
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Ο Official certificate of marriage (to be sent to the registry of births, deaths and marriages
(BDM) after the ceremony, with the declaration of no legal impediment printed on the
reverse side).
Ο The second official certificate (your copy).
Ο Form 15 certificate (issued to the parties immediately after the ceremony).
Set out the rites used to solemnise the marriage on the marriage certificates:
Ο For a civil ceremony (including if you are a religious marriage celebrant performing civil
ceremonies), use the words ‘according to the Marriage Act 1961’.
Ο If you are a minister of religion, you may record that the marriage was solemnised
according to the rites of your religious organisation.
At the ceremony
Before commencing the ceremony, ensure:
Ο There are at least two witnesses present who are over the age of 18 years.
Ο If relevant, an interpreter is present, and has completed the statutory declaration on the
certificate of faithful performance by interpreter.
Include the ‘monitum’ explaining the nature of the marriage relationship.
Include vows.
Ο Parties must say the words in subsection 45(2) of the Marriage Act for a civil ceremony
(including if the civil ceremony is solemnised by a religious marriage celebrant who
performs civil ceremonies).
Ο If you are a minister of religion, use a ceremony approved by your religious organisation.
Be satisfied that each party consents to the proposed marriage
You must be satisfied that each party to the marriage is consenting to the marriage at all
times before the conclusion of the ceremony.
Sign the marriage certificates
All three marriage certificates must be signed by you, the parties and the two witnesses.
Ο Record the same names for the couple as are recorded on the NOIM on all three
certificates.
Ο Record the same names for the witnesses on all certificates and ensure witnesses clearly
print their full names.
Hand the Form 15 certificate to one of the parties.
After the ceremony
If relevant, ensure the interpreter completes and gives you the certificate of faithful
performance by interpreter.
Complete the NOIM by recording the date and place of marriage and rites used, signing the
‘Celebrant’s signature’ section and recording your celebrant number.
Within 14 days of the ceremony, send the official certificate of marriage, declarations of no
legal impediment, and NOIM (together with any supporting documents) to the registry of
births, deaths and marriages (BDM) in the state or territory where the marriage took place.
o Supporting documents could include statutory declarations, a certificate of faithful
performance by interpreter, the court orders and consents authorising a minor’s
marriage and/or a prescribed authority’s consent to a shortening of time.
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Complete the ‘record of use form’ for the Form 15 certificate. You must keep records of
every marriage you perform in a secure place for six years starting on the day, after the day
the marriage was solemnised. This requirement relates to the official certificate of marriage
(marriage register) and the ‘record of use form’.
