How to Apply for a Certificate of No Impediment in Australia

Why do you need a Certificate of No Impediment in Australia

You need an Australian Certificate of No Impediment if you plan to marry abroad. This document helps you:

• Prove that you aren't legally married in Australia
• To register your intent to marry abroad
• Ensure your marriage abroad is legally recognised by the country 
• Provide legal assurance to a foreign government that your marriage will not be bigamous
• To fulfil the legal requirements to marry in that country 

Note: Most countries may require a single status certificate or a letter stating there is no record of marriage as an alternative to CNI. For example, if you are getting married in Switzerland as an Australian citizen, you will need to submit a Single Status Certificate. Always confirm with the requesting country's embassy or official to obtain the correct document and avoid delays.

Which countries require a CNI?

Some countries known to request a CNI from Australian citizens frequently include:

• Poland 
• The Czech Republic 
• Netherlands 
• Austria
• French territories such as New Caledonia
• Thailand 
• Vietnam
• The Philippines
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• China

Where to apply for an Australian CNI

You can apply for a CNI in Australia at:

• The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) office
• The Australian embassy or consulate in the country where you will marry. 

Note: The country where you intend to marry will determine the option you use. In most cases, you will have to apply at the embassy or Consulate. For example, authorities in Poland and the Czech Republic will not accept a CNI issued in Australia. 

What are the eligibility requirements for obtaining a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)?

To be eligible for an Australian Certificate of No Impediment (CNI), you must meet the following requirements. 

• You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident 
• You are 18 years or above
• You are marrying overseas, and the destination country requires you to confirm that you are legally able to marry. 
• You can provide supporting documents.

Note: If your partner isn't an Australian citizen, they must apply for a CNI from their country of citizenship. For example, if you are getting married to a UK citizen in Singapore, your partner must apply for a UK Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. 

Documents required to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)

• A valid Australian passport
• Proof of permanent residency (If you aren't an Australian citizen)
• CNI application form
• Birth certificate
• Divorce certificate (if previously married)
• Partner's identification, like a valid passport or other government-issued photo ID.
• Deceased partner's death certificate (if widowed)
• A copy of the judicial authorisation to marry (If you are under 18 years)

Note: If any document isn't in English, it must be accompanied by a certified English translation that's performed by a professional NAATI translator. 

How can you apply for a Letter of No Impediment in Australia?

To apply for CNI in Australia, at least one person in the marrying couple must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The process generally involves the following steps:

Gather supporting documents

You will typically need to provide proof of identity, your partner's identification, evidence of previous marriage termination, and any other required documents. 

Complete the application form

Download and fill out the "Application for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage" from the Smartraveller website or an Australian embassy or consulate.

Sign in the Presence of an Authorised Witness

Print out the form and fill in all the information. However, do not sign the application form beforehand. You must sign it in the presence of an authorised witness in Australia or at the embassy.

Submit and pay the fee

The application can be submitted in person, by mail, at the DFAT, Australian Embassy, or through the website, depending on your location. You must pay the CNI application fee of A$177 to complete the process.

Receive CNI

Once you have paid the application fees, your CNI will be processed, and you will be informed when it's ready. You can pick it up in person or receive it via post. 

The role of NAATI translations in obtaining a CNI

To obtain an Australian CNI, or to present supporting documents to a foreign authority (like an embassy or local register office) that issues the CNI, you may need to submit official documents such as:

• Birth Certificates
• Divorce Certificates (if previously married)
• Death Certificates (if widowed)
• Passports

If any of the required supporting documents are not in English, they must be translated into English. In Australia, you will need a translation done by a NAATI translator to be officially accepted. 

Using a translator recognised by NAATI provides a guarantee of accuracy, professionalism, and legal recognition for the translated document. You request a free quote to get translation rates for your documents from Transayte.

When CNI is not a requirement under Australian law

A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) is not a requirement under Australian domestic law for a marriage solemnised (performed) in Australia.

The primary reason CNIs are issued is for Australian citizens or permanent residents to get married overseas. This is because many foreign countries require the CNI as proof that the individual is legally free to marry.

In Australia, couples only need the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form to confirm that there are no legal impediments to their marriage. The NOIM must be lodged with an authorised marriage officiant at least one month before the wedding. 

Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) fees & processing time in Australia

• CNI application fee: A$177.
• Legalisation: A$102 per document.
• Cost of translation services: A$20 to A$50 per page

Australian CNI processing time

Processing time for a CNI in Australia varies depending on the location. Here's a list of processing times for some countries' embassies or consulates:

• Netherlands: 5 business days 
• Singapore: 2 business days 
• Vietnam: 1 business day

If you are applying at DFAT in Australia, the timeline typically ranges from 2 business days to 4 weeks. You can request an estimated time when submitting your application. 

Legalisation and Apostille of a Certificate of No Impediment in Australia

The requirement to have your Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) legalised depends on the country where you plan to marry. 

The Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), provides two forms of legalisation: Apostille and Consular legalisation.

• You need an apostille stamp if the requesting country is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention.
• You will need consular legalisation if the country where you are getting married isn't a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. 

Note: If the foreign authority requires an apostille or consular legalisation, it will be issued directly on the original CNI document by DFAT for an additional fee.

How can Translayte help you?

Translayte provides certified translations that are accepted by the Australian DFAT, courts, and other authorities. Whether you need certified translations for your Australian CNI application, marriage overseas, legalisation, or apostille services, we can help. Here is what we offer:

• Certified translation by NAATI approved translators with experience translating personal and civil documents for CNI and marriages abroad.
• Apostille services to ensure you can submit your application on time
• 24/7 multilingual customer support services
• Transparent translation rates starting at $31.75 per page
• Expedited translation options with a 12 - 24-hour timeline

Don’t allow poorly translated documents to delay your CNI application or marriage overseas. Request a free quote to get certified translation from approved NAATI translators.