Do we need to sign anything during the ceremony?
Yes—you’ll sign three documents during the ceremony, usually straight after you say your vows. This is part of making the
What should we do if we’ve lost our birth certificates or ID?
If you’ve lost your birth certificate or photo ID, don’t panic—but you’ll need to arrange replacements or acceptable alternatives before
How long does it take to receive our official marriage certificate?
The processing time for your official marriage certificate (the one from a BDM) depends on the state or territory where
How soon after the wedding is our marriage legally recognised?
Your marriage is legally recognised immediately—from the moment you and your partner say the legal vows, sign the certificates, and
Is there a cooling-off period after lodging the NOIM?
There’s no “cooling-off period” in the traditional sense—but there is a mandatory waiting period. Once you lodge your Notice of
Can we get married if we’ve been previously married or divorced?
Yes—you can get married in Australia if you’ve been previously married, as long as that marriage has legally ended through
Do we have to say “I do” to be legally married?
Nope—“I do” is totally optional. To be legally married in Australia, you don’t have to say “I do” at all.
What’s the difference between a marriage certificate and a ceremonial certificate?
The ceremonial certificate (also called the commemorative or presentation certificate) is the one you sign during your wedding ceremony and
What happens to our marriage documents after the ceremony?
After your ceremony, your marriage documents are officially processed and securely lodged—but not all of them stay with you. Here’s
Are same-sex marriages legally recognised in Australia?
Yes—same-sex marriages are fully legal and recognised in Australia. Marriage equality became law on 9 December 2017, following overwhelming public
