If you’ve lost your birth certificate or photo ID, don’t panic—but you’ll need to arrange replacements or acceptable alternatives before your celebrant can legally marry you.

Your celebrant must sight original documents that prove:

  1. Your date and place of birth, and

  2. Your identity.

Here are your options:

🔹 To prove your date and place of birth:

  • Preferred: Australian or foreign birth certificate

  • Alternative: A valid passport (Australian or international)

A passport can satisfy both your birth details and your ID in one document—making it the easiest option if your birth certificate is missing.

🔹 To prove your identity:

  • Driver’s licence

  • Proof of age card

  • Passport

  • Government-issued photo ID

What if you can’t get replacements in time?

If you’re genuinely unable to provide original documents, your celebrant cannot legally proceed with the marriage until you do. This is a strict legal requirement under the Marriage Act 1961.  There is a statutory declaration option, but this can only be used in rare circumstances.

It’s worth starting replacement requests early through: