According to the Australian Marriage Act 1961 there are certain obligations that need to be completed prior to a wedding ceremony taking place:

• A Notice of Intended Marriage needs to be completed at least a month and a day prior to the ceremony date.
• You will need to show proof of your identity and birth. If you were born in Australia then it will have to be an original birth certificate if born overseas either a birth certificate or passport issued by another country.
• The legal age of marriage in Australia is 18 years. If either party is not 18 then you will need to obtain a court order for the person under 18. Under no circumstances can 2 people under 18 years old marry each other.
• If of you have been married before then either the Divorce Decree Absolute papers and/or, if either of your spouses are deceased, a Death Certificate must be produced.
• Before the ceremony takes place you will both sign your Declarations, which state that there is no legal impediment to your marriage. This is usually completed at our final meeting when we review the day’s arrangements.
• You will need two witnesses to sign the three certificates on the day of the marriage they must be over 18 years old and understand enough English to know that they are witnessing your marriage and the signing of official documents. .