How to Get Married in Australia as a Foreigner

Australian Wedding Traditions

Australian weddings begin with the Smoking Ceremony, often before the official start of the ceremony. Australians believe it is a powerful way to prepare and cleanse the space where the vows will be exchanged, welcoming guests into a sacred atmosphere and setting the tone for the day's events. Afterwards, there is the heartfelt Acknowledgment of Country, a profound respect paid to the traditional custodians of the land, recognising the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their Country. 

As guests arrive, there's a relaxed vibe in the air. Australians are known for their laid-back attitude, and this extends to their weddings. It's not unusual to see folks dressed smartly but comfortably with a hint of formality here and there. The ceremony itself is usually straightforward and personal. A celebrant leads the proceedings, incorporating the couple's vows, stories, and maybe a reading or two that holds special meaning to them. 

After the ceremony, the reception kicks into gear.  Food and drink play a big part in Australian weddings. You should expect barbecues, seafood, and local wines to make big appearances. Let’s not forget the sweet Lamingtons and Pavlova desserts. A major centre of entertainment are the Bush Dance, Heel and Toe Polka, the Stockyards, and the Drongo dance. They are so much fun, and inclusive, and break the ice to get everyone involved, from the youngest children to the oldest grandparents.

And as the events come to an end, we cannot forget the speeches. In Australia, wedding speeches can be an event in themselves. They can be heartfelt, hilarious or both at the same time. Friends and family take turns sharing stories, toasting the newlyweds, and maybe embarrassing them just a little.
 

Types of Marriages in Australia

1. Civil Marriages: Civil marriages in Australia are done in a local court registry. The first thing that happens is submitting a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form to an authorised celebrant at least one month (and no more than 18 months) before the ceremony. These celebrants could be: 

• Celebrants at the Marriage Registry.
• Territory officers at some regional courts.
• Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants.
• Ministers of religion of recognised denominations.

You will need to choose a non-religious celebrant if you’re having a civil ceremony. If you are getting married in a place of worship, an authorised minister will perform the ceremony. Religious celebrants and ministers reserve the right to refuse to perform a marriage ceremony that does not align with their religious beliefs. 

You can submit a NOIM form overseas as long as it has been signed in the presence of:

• An Australian Diplomatic Officer
• An Australian Consular Officer
• A notary public
• An employee of the Commonwealth authorised under para 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.
• An employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under para 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.

2. Religious Marriages in Australia: In Australia, religious marriage ceremonies are conducted according to the rites and traditions of your chosen religion. Religious weddings cover a wide range of faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, and more, each with its unique customs and ceremonies. For a religious marriage to be recognised legally in Australia, it must be officiated by an authorised celebrant. These celebrants are often religious ministers, priests, imams, rabbis, or other recognised leaders within your faith community who are registered with the Australian Government as authorised marriage celebrants.

The process usually begins with you meeting with your religious leader to discuss your intentions and to plan the ceremony. This may involve pre-marital counselling or classes to prepare you for your marriage. During these meetings, you can discuss how you wish to incorporate your religious beliefs and practices into the ceremony, including specific prayers, readings, rituals, or music that are significant to your faith.

Christian weddings usually take place in a church and include the exchange of vows, readings from the Bible, prayers, hymns, and blessings.

Islamic weddings (Nikah) often involve a marriage contract signing in the presence of witnesses, with specific prayers and readings from the Quran.

Hindu weddings are rich in rituals and can last for several days, with ceremonies that invoke various gods and goddesses to bless you.

Jewish weddings feature the signing of the Ketubah (marriage contract), the marriage ceremony under a Chuppah (marriage canopy), the Seven Blessings, and the breaking of glass to remember the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

In addition to the religious ceremony, you must also sign the official marriage certificate, which is typically done during the ceremony in the presence of two adult witnesses. This certificate, along with any other required documentation, is then submitted by the officiant to the state or territory registry office to legally register the marriage in Australia.

The Legal Requirements for Marriage in Australia 

The first thing you need to do is understand what the legal requirements for getting married in Australia are. Here are the criteria you need to meet before getting married in Australia: 

• You both must be at least 18 years old (written parental consent and a court order are needed if you are 16 or 17).
   
• If you are marrying between the ages of 16 and 18, you cannot marry someone older than 18 years. 
   
• You must be marrying of your own free will. 
   
• You both must understand the nature of marriage and what it entails.
   
• You both must either be single, widowed or divorced with proof such as a civil status certificate, death certificate, divorce certificate, dissolution of civil partnership certificate, etc.
   
• You cannot marry or enter into a civil partnership with someone whom you are related to by blood to a degree that legally prohibits you from marrying them. Such relationships include:
  • Mother or father
  • Father’s sister or brother (aunt or uncle)
  • Mother’s sister or brother (aunt or uncle)
  • Sister or brother
  • Father’s daughter or son (half-sister or brother)
  • Mother’s daughter or son (half-sister or brother)
  • Daughter or son
  • Son’s daughter or son (granddaughter or grandson)
  • Daughter’s daughter or son (granddaughter or grandson)
  • Brother’s daughter or son (niece or nephew)
  • Sister’s daughter or son (niece or nephew)
  • Grandmother or grandfather
     
• You must have at least two witnesses that are at least 18 years old. 
   
• Your celebrant must say and lead you to say certain words for your marriage to be considered legal.

Documentation Requirements

For Notice of Intended Marriage:

• An international passport or photo ID
• Birth certificate (for both of you).
• If you are adopted – an Adoption Certificate
• Final divorce, dissolution and nullity decrees as well as death certificates in respect of all previous marriages and civil partnerships.

All of the above documents that are not in English need to be translated by a certified translator or a certified translation services in Australia. Translayte is a language service provider that provides you with highly skilled English-certified translators who work to accurately convey the message of your documents. You can get English translations to or from a large variety of languages like French to English translations, Spanish to English translations, German to English translations, and vice versa. Moreover, your foreign documents must be legalised or bear an apostille stamp from the country of issuance to be valid in Australia. 
 

How to Get Married in Australia

So, we’ve looked at all we need to put in place before marrying in Australia. Now, let’s simplify the entire process for you into a few steps. 

Get a Visa

You need to apply for a visa to get enter Australia to get married. This could be either a working visa, a tourist visa or a Prospective Marriage Visa. A Prospective Marriage visa allows you to enter Australia to get married. It is valid for 9-15 months and costs about AUD8,850. 

Submit a Notice of Intended Marriage Form

To declare your intent to marry, you need to fill out the Notice of Intended Marriage form and submit it to an authorised celebrant at least one month and no more than 18 months before your wedding.  They can also help you fill out your form if you ask them.

If you live in Australia, when you’ve filled out the NOIM form, ask the celebrant to witness your signatures. You can now do this either in person or virtually via Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype or FaceTime. You can also sign the form in person in front of an Australian Federal Police or state/territory police, a barrister or solicitor, a Justice of the Peace, or a legally qualified medical practitioner (except a pharmacist or dentist). You can then email or post the signed and witnessed NOIM to your marriage celebrant. 

If you live outside Australia and you both live in the same country, when you’ve finished completing the details in the NOIM, you can either get your signatures witnessed by:

• An Australian Diplomatic Officer
• An Australian Consular Officer
• A notary public
• An employee of the Commonwealth authorised under para 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.
• An employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under para 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.

If you’re living in different countries outside Australia, one of you can fill out the NOIM for both of you and then get their signature witnessed by the authorities listed above. Your partner can sign the NOIM in front of the authorised marriage celebrant when they arrive in Australia before the marriage.
 

Plan Your Ceremony

After you have finished with all the major paperwork and payments, you can now get into the real fun. Let’s give you a few tips on how to plan the ceremony. 

1. Set a Budget: Choose your type of ceremony and determine your budget. Determining your budget will guide many of your decisions, from the venue to the number of guests and the style of the event. Make sure to account for any potential costs like the venue, attire, officiant fees, decorations, and any additional services you might want.

2. Select a Venue: The venue sets the tone for your wedding. Some popular wedding venues in Australia include: 

• Wallaringa Farm
• Camp Marysville
• The Valley Estate
• Lancemore Mansion Hotel
• Goosewing Cottage Elopements
• Howqua Lodge

When choosing a venue, consider its location, capacity, availability, cost, and the logistics of getting married there (some venues have their own rules about catering, decoration, and music).

3. Choose a Date and Time: When selecting your wedding date, consider factors like the weather, special dates for you and your partner, and the availability of your desired venue and key vendors. Saturdays are a popular choice for weddings, but a weekday wedding might offer more flexibility and cost savings.

4. Hire Vendors: Depending on the complexity of your ceremony, you may need to hire various vendors, such as:

• Wedding Planner: This is especially helpful if you're organising a destination wedding or need help with local customs and logistics.
   
• A Photographer/Videographer: Book early, as the best ones often have their schedules filled months in advance.
   
• Hair and Makeup Artists: To ensure you look your best, consider hiring professionals who can provide hair and makeup services on your wedding day.
   
• Music: Whether you want live music, a DJ, or a simple playlist, plan how music will be integrated into your ceremony.
   
• A Florist: For bouquets, boutonnieres, and any venue decorations.
   
• A Caterer: If your venue doesn’t provide food, you’ll need to hire a caterer.

5. Plan the Ceremony Details: Decide if you want to write your vows or stick with the traditional ones. Select your wedding party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring-bearers, and flower girls. Don’t forget to decide on how you want the ceremony to unfold, from start to finish.

6. Have a Dress Rehearsal: A rehearsal is typically held the day before the wedding, especially for complex ceremonies or large wedding parties. This helps ensure everyone knows their roles and the event runs smoothly.

7. Personalise Your Ceremony: Incorporate elements that reflect your personalities and relationships. This could include unique music choices, a special reading, or a ritual that has personal significance.

Enjoy Your Wedding Ceremony

On your wedding day, remember to have fun and take in all the memories of that special day.  Your celebrant will say certain words required by law that make the marriage legal. You will exchange your vows and wedding rings and then you, your celebrant and your witnesses will sign 3 copies of your marriage certificate. The certificate will be forwarded to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 14 days for official recordings. You will be issued a ceremonial version of your marriage certificate by your celebrant but this certificate has no legal weight. 

Apply for a Legal Marriage Certificate

You or your celebrant can apply for your legal marriage certificate at the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State where your marriage took place. To do this, you will need to provide:

• details of the marriage
• personal and contact information
• proof of identity documents
• Payment

You can apply online, by downloading and filling out a marriage certificate application form or apply in person at the Registry. 

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