[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/legal-requirements-to-be-married-in-australia\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/legal-requirements-to-be-married-in-australia\/","headline":"The legal requirements to be married in Australia","name":"The legal requirements to be married in Australia","description":"Here's all you need to know about the legal requirements to be married in Australia now that marriage equality is the law of the land. ","datePublished":"2018-08-24","dateModified":"2018-08-24","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/marrymebrisbanecitycelebrants-com-au\/#Person","name":"Brisbane City Celebrants","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/marrymebrisbanecitycelebrants-com-au\/","identifier":6130,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c6ee28d976fb973d0448b5b3b418a825a5296d9df0ab35a7390d53f15c851c8?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c6ee28d976fb973d0448b5b3b418a825a5296d9df0ab35a7390d53f15c851c8?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/The-legal-requirements-to-be-married-in-Australia-Brisbane-City-Celebrants-Equaliy-Minded-Wedding-Profesisional-6.jpg","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/The-legal-requirements-to-be-married-in-Australia-Brisbane-City-Celebrants-Equaliy-Minded-Wedding-Profesisional-6.jpg","height":790,"width":527},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/legal-requirements-to-be-married-in-australia\/","about":["Features","Planning"],"wordCount":740,"keywords":["Australia","celebrants","equality-minded wedding vendors","LGBTQ-friendly officiant","officiants"],"articleBody":"Today Equally Wed\u2019s Preferred Vendor Brisbane City Celebrants is sharing their knowledge on what is actually legally required for a wedding ceremony in Australia, and you\u2019ll probably agree it\u2019s a lot less than you think! Plus they are giving is the low down on ‘Legals Only’ weddings.When can my wedding take place?It\u2019s important to note that your marriage can take place one calendar month from the date you lodge your signed and witnessed Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with your celebrant.What legal wording must be included to be validly married in Australia?A marriage must include:– The celebrant to state their name and that they are an authorized celebrant – The celebrant must state the mandatory wording known as the \u2018Monitum\u2019\u201cI 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 two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.\u201d– The following mandatory vows (or an acceptable variation of) must be stated by each party to one another: 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 (or husband, or spouse).And dah dah – we\u2019ve covered it! That is all that actually needs to be said before you can sign the marriage paperwork. Of course, you may like to exchange rings, say \u201cI Do\u201d and share your own personalised vows or even share a little of your love story, but those are all entirely optional.What is involved with signing paperwork?The purpose of signing marriage certificates is to officially record\/document that your marriage has taken place. You are actually legally married once the above words have been stated, before you sit down and sign the following three official documents. Two witnesses are required to officially witness your marriage. They need to be over the age of 18 and of sound mind (e.g. not drunk \u2013 the Attorney General\u2019s rules, not the celebrants!)Your celebrant will provide you with the following 3 documents to sign, these are usually already pre-completed with all your details so it\u2019s just each of your signatures, followed by your witnesses\u2019 signatures that are required. Official Certificate of Marriage \u2013 To be submitted by your celebrant to the office of BDM (Births, Deaths and Marriages) in the state where your marriage took place. Official Certificate of Marriage \u2013 Identical to the above, this one is the celebrant\u2019s copy to keep and archive.Presentation Certificate \u2013 This is your keepsake certificate that you will be given to take with you on the day.What is a \u2018Legals Only Wedding?A Legals Only wedding is a term used to reference a wedding consisting of only the legalrequirements described above, often chosen by couples that simply want to be married withouthaving a traditional wedding ceremony with all the bells and whistles. Legals Only weddingsare perfect for:– Couples that are having their ‘wedding’ overseas but would like the legalities of theirmarriage to take place in Australia to simplify the process of their overseas ‘wedding’(commitment ceremony) and to ease the process of having their marriage recognized inAustralia and changing their last name through marriage.– Anyone that would like to simply be married without the bells and whistles of a wedding or atraditional ceremony.– Couples who would like to be married on the quiet, and perhaps announce their news to theirfriends and family at a later date.– Couples who are bringing their planned marriage date forward, so they would like to bemarried as soon as possible (e.g. due to pregnancy or a sick family member)– Couples that would love to simply be married and are in need of a budget wedding option,perhaps with the intent to have a vow renewal ceremony and celebration a few years down thetrack. The Brisbane City Celebrants, Cara and Jamie, offer both \u2018Legals Only\u2019 weddings and fullwedding packages.If you are planning to wed in the Brisbane area, you can contact Brisbane City Celebrants formore information.Real Wedding shots by Studio Impressions Photography"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"The legal requirements to be married in Australia","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/legal-requirements-to-be-married-in-australia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]