Legal requirements according to the Marriage Act, 1961

Complete a notice of intention to marry. This is known as ʻNOIMʼ. As an authorized Celebrant I need to be satisfi ed that you meet the requirements as set out in Section 42 in the Act and this will be explained should you choose to proceed further. The NOIM requires the details and signatures of both parties and must be completed and signed and returned to me, 30 days prior to wedding ceremony. I will work with you to provide further direction on appointment as your Celebrant. Complete.

 

Complete Affi davit – The Affi davit must be in the legally prescribed format. This document requires that each person must state his or her marital status and is a solemn declaration that there is no legal impediment to the marriage.

On your Wedding Day – You and your witnesses (over the age of 18) will sign 3 copies of the ʻWedding Certificateʼ. This is for offi cial records as well as ceremonial purposes. You will receive your Ceremonial copy, you will sign the Registry, and there is also a copy that is sent to

Legal requirements for travel related to Marriage Certificate

You cannot obtain a passport or change your name without a Standard Marriage Certificate provided by the registry of   Births, Deaths or Marriages in the State or Territory you were married.

 

Take your Ceremonial Wedding Certificate received at the time of your Marriage plus 3 forms of identifi cation to obtain a standard Marriage Certificate to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages located in Victoria at 595 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Choosing the Venue – Getting married brings with it the opportunity to paint the perfect backdrop by selecting a location that means something special to you. You may choose your own garden setting, your home, perhaps a wedding chapel, a wedding reception venue, a favourite winery, a cruise boat, a train journey... the list is endless.. Decide what works best for you. Weather can be quite fickle so ensure there is shelter.

Considering your Guests needs - Your guests need to access all facilities with ease. Those with special needs should be considered at this planning stage. Considerations such as wheelchair access, the need for a sign language translator for hearing impaired guests, disabled parking, provision for special dietary needs, should catering be part of this decision.

Hosting your own Event? - plan for accessible car parking, a public address system, ample toilets, seating for attendees, a table/chairs for signing ceremonial documents, shelter such as a marquee, catering and presentation considerations to personalize the space.


Celebrant Authorisation Known as the Monitum, this focuses on the ʻlegalsʼ within the ceremony. This is an essential part of any marriage ceremony. The Monitum is prescribed in the Marriage Act 1961 (Section 46, (1) and shall be said by an authorised celebrant to the attending parties, in the presence of the witnesses. These words form the Monitum

       “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 law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”
You cannot dilute the words or substitute any words that alter the meaning of the words in section 46(1).



Your Vows

Your Vows According to the Marriage Act 1961, Section 45(2), the vows must contain minimum words       
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take three, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)”