When you start to make your wedding arrangements, you will need to show your celebrant some specific identification documents. All documents supplied must be originals - photocopies certified by a JP will not be acceptable - as required by Section 42(b)(i) of the Marriage Act 1961, as follows (where applicable):

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL IDENTITY

Any form of photographic identification that includes a photo of you and information about you

such as your name, other relevant infomation, and preferably your signature, such as:

* current driver's licence

* current 18-Plus Card

* current student card

* valid Australian or foreign-issued passport

EVIDENCE OF DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH

If born in Australia:

An official birth certificate or extract of birth

Note: An Australian Passport cannot be used as evidence of date/place of birth

as it is not on the Federal Government's list of approved proof-of-identity documents.

It can be used, however, to establish physical identity.

If born outside Australia:

An official birth certificate (translated if it is not in English),

or an official valid foreign passport (expired foreign passports are not acceptable)

Where birth papers or a foreign passport cannot be provided:   If born in Australia: You must order an official birth certificate/extract from the Registry of BDM in the State in which you were born.   If born outside Australia: You must complete a Statutory Declaration signed in the presence of a Justice of the Peace or other approved signatory, outlining the particulars of your birth and the reason why birth papers/foreign passport cannot be provided. NB: Your reason for not being able to supply this information needs to be VERY GOOD. Frivolous reasons will not be accepted.   (I have a specially developed proforma to assist with this process, if needed)

IF MARRIED PREVIOUSLY - HOW THE MARRIAGE ENDED

For A Divorced Person:

A decree absolute (if divorced before 2004) or certificate of divorce.

Note: A NOIM may be lodged if a divorce is currently being heard in court, however,

 I must see the certificate of divorce prior to the ceremony, or the marriage cannot take place.

For a Widow/Widower:

A death certificate for the deceased former partner

LEGAL CHANGE OF NAME

If either party has legally changed their name by Deed Poll or Change of Name Register:

Change of Name Certificate

or a newly issued Birth Certificate bearing details of the name change

* Note: an original Deed Poll document can no longer be accepted as proof of change of name.

Individuals who changed their name by Deed Poll will need to arrange to have this recognised at the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

A charge may be applicable for this service.

USE OF AN ASSUMED NAME -

A NAME THAT IS NOT ON YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE

If either party uses another name for any reason, but hasn't legally changed their name:

A Statutory Declaration signed before a Justice of the Peace/approved signatory

regarding the Change of Name,

plus the birth certificate showing the individual's birth name,

plus other identification showing use of the assumed name in everyday life

(i.e licence etc)

Note: If you use an assumed name that is not your legal name as registered at birth, you have the following options:   * you can legally change your name before the wedding using the Change of Name Register at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in which you were born. This creates the paper trail needed to establish identity, and allows you to use the new name on all wedding documents.   * you can use your legal name as registered at birth on all wedding documents. The problem with this is the name is different to other documents that may contain your assumed name.   * if you truly believe you will never encounter any problems relating to your identity, and you have no intention of seeking an Australian Passport, you may wish to use the assumed name on all wedding documents. The downside is that this doesn't create the paper trail needed officially for the purposes of establishing identity, and this is why you may run into problems in the future.     If you have sufficient time to do so before you marry, it is highly recommended that you legally change your name using the Change of Name Register in the Registry of BDM in the State in which you were born. This will cause the least fuss in the long run.

UNDER-AGE PARTIES TO A PROPOSED MARRIAGE

If one party to the marriage is aged Under 18:

A Court order authorising the marriage;

plus Consent of the parent/s

Note: Australian law does not permit two people aged under 18 to marry.

~ If you have any questions about paperwork, please don't hesitate to contact me ~