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Legalities & Overseas Couples

What do we do first?

Contact me for an appointment to discuss your needs. You must be at least 18 years of age to marry in Australia. Before you can be married, Australian law requires you to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (which I will provide) or  you can print the notice from the Attorney General's website and have it witnessed by an authorised person. You can get married one calendar month and one day after the celebrant receives the Notice of Intended Marriage (valid for eighteen months) www.ag.gov.au/celebrants 

 The documents you need to bring with you are;

• Original birth certificate or extract

• If married previously: original certificate of divorce, annulment, death certificate

• If born overseas and no birth certificate - overseas passport

• Photo ID - e.g. drivers licence, passport

If you were born in Australia you must provide your birth certificate or an authorised extract. If you were born overseas and can’t produce your birth certificate, your overseas passport will be accepted.  If you do not have an overseas passport you will need to complete a Statutory Declaration (provided by me). These documents must be produced before the marriage can take place. 

Where can we hold our ceremony?

Your wedding can be held just about anywhere: beaches, parks, gardens, private homes, boats or restaurants. I will be happy to make some suggestions if you are unsure of a location. If you choose an outside location ensure you have an alternate venue in-case of bad weather. Contact the local council for any outside venues as some of them only charge if you have more than thirty people attending. Some Councils don't allow PA systems, amplified sound or marquees, so be sure to check before you book. I am based in Sydney's Inner West, which is only 20 minutes from the city and close to all motorway & freeways. I am available for ceremonies all over the Sydney area, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, South Coast and beyond.

Can overseas or interstate couples get married in Australia?

Anyone can be married in Australia providing all the legal requirements are met. The Notice of Intended Marriage must be received by me no less than one calendar month and one day prior to the wedding. The details can be arranged via email, telephone and fax. You plans can be finalised when you arrive in the country/state. Bookings will only be accepted with a deposit of A$200.00. I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cheque, Money Order, Bank Draft or Direct Deposit. (a 3% surcharge is applicable on all credit cards)

The steps are:

• Complete a Notice of Intended Marriage - I can email this to you or it can be obtained from any Australian Embassy world wide or on-line from the Attorney General's website.

• Have your signatures witnessed by an Australian Consulate official or Notary Public. (The witness must also sight your your relevant documents - e.g. birth certificate, divorce papers, death certificate)

• Email me a copy of the NOIM with copies of your supporting documents.

• Send the originals by registered mail or bring with you. (I must sight the original documents before the marriage can proceed).

• If you were born outside Australia, you must provide your birth certificate or overseas passport.

• If you were born in Australia you must provide your birth certificate.

• If either of you have been previously married, you need to provide the original or certified copy of your Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate of former spouse.

• You must both be over the age of eighteen.

• You will need two witness over the age of eighteen.

What do you give us for our fiancé visa application?

If your fiancé wishes to enter Australia under the prospective marriage (fiancé) plan, I will supply a suitable letter for the Australian Consulate along with a copy of the Notice of Intended Marriage. Only one person needs to come to the initial interview to complete the legal forms. For couples who are overseas prior to the wedding, all the arrangements can be completed via telephone, email or by post. 

How do we have our marriage registered in our country?

British Commonwealth residents will need a registered copy of the marriage certificate. I will register your marriage on-line on the same day as your wedding. You can apply for the copy the next working day from  the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages at their Chippendale or Parramatta offices -Telephone: 1300 655 236. The office hours are 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. I can order the certificate for you directly after your wedding or provide you with an application form. The fee is A$44 or if required urgently A$65 Or if you don't have time to apply for a registered copy of your marriage certificate while you are in Australia, you can have your marriage documents deposited with the General Register Office. Contact them on www.fco.gov.uk

Residents from other countries will also require a registered copy of the marriage certificate and may require an Apostille stamp or authentication certificate to be able to register the marriage in their country of residence. It is advisable to check what documentation you require from your consulate or local registry office in your home country. The Apostille stamp can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Sydney. The address is Level 7, 26 Lee Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Telephone: (02) 9207 6904, or follow the link www.dfat.gov.au/sydney  This office is only open from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday and it will take three working days for your document to be authenticated. If you provide them with a stamped self-addressed envelope they will post the certificate to you.

"There is only one happiness in life ~ To love and be loved" ~ George Sand ~