Legals only

Congratulations! You’re getting married.

At your kitchen table, in your backyard, or any quiet place. We’ll say what needs to be said, sign what needs to be signed et voilà, you’re married.

Legals only is my service for ceremonies that are exclusive to you (the couple), me and two witnesses.

See Elopement for intimate ceremonies with guests, Marriage for larger ceremonies and scroll ↓ for the fine print (legal requirements).

  • Pre-ceremony meeting (in person or online), preparation and lodgement of paperwork, travel.

  • From $500

    Please contact me for more details.

Legal requirements

Marriage is about more than love

Only certified people are authorised to solemnise marriages in Australia and requirements must be fulfilled before, during and after a ceremony to ensure the marriage is legally recognised.

I’m here to make sure these requirements are met and you read all about my responsibilities in the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants.

Eligibility

To get married in Australia, you must:

∞ not be married
∞ not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
∞ be at least 18 years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where one person is 16-18 years old, and
∞ understand what marriage means and freely agree to marry.

You can find out more at Get Married on the Attorney-General’s Department website.

The monitum

One of the key legal requirements is the recitation of the monitum by me during the ceremony. It defines marriage and the legal obligations and requirements of marriage:

I 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 the law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

Legal vows

The second requirement is the exchange of legal vows. They are set by law and designed to ensure you the couple are clearly making a commitment to each other:

I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I, (name) , take you (name), to be my lawful wedded spouse / partner / wife / husband / in marriage.

Paperwork

Paperwork must be completed and lodged with the appropriate authorities for a marriage to be legally recognised.

Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

With my help, you will complete this and issue it to me at least one month before the wedding. The NOIM includes details such as your names, dates and places of birth, and evidence of identity.

Official Certificate of Marriage

This proves the marriage has taken place. Two copies of this document are signed and witnessed during the ceremony. I lodge one copy with the relevant state or territory registry of births, deaths, and marriages within 14 days of the wedding and keep the other copy.

You may require an Official Certificate of Marriage for identification purposes or proof of a name change through marriage. These can be ordered from the registering authority in the state or country you were married.

Declaration of no legal impediment to marriage

This states there is no legal reason why you can’t be married and is signed by you and witnessed by me before the ceremony.

Form 15 Certificate of Marriage

Don’t let the name fool you. This is the ‘fancy’ certificate you receive on your wedding day. It is a beautiful keepsake that commemorates the occasion but is not an official document (see ‘Official Certificate of Marriage’).

Other paperwork

Depending on your situation, there may be other paperwork or documentation that needs to be completed, or that I need to see. For example, proof of divorce. We can discuss this at our first meeting.