Getting married in Australia

Stunning scenery, beautiful coastlines, superb cuisine and cosmopolitan cities make Australia an ideal wedding destination.

Why get married in Australia?

Australia is a vast and timeless land, offering stunning and contrasting natural beauty -- from the shimmering plains of the outback, to the sparkling coastlines of east. You can see wildlife from cuddly koalas and kangaroos, to huge crocodiles and the amazing marine life that lives of the Great Barrier Reef. Add to this the superb accommodation and dining options found in its cosmopolitan cities, and Australia makes for the perfect wedding and honeymoon destination.

What kind of wedding ceremony can I have in Australia?

Marriages do not have to be conducted in a church or Register Office so Australia is your oyster. You may like to have your ceremony at the Sydney Opera House, on the deck of a glamorous yacht, at sunset on a beach, in a tropical garden -- or you could even go traditional and get married in a church...

Is it wedding weather?

What’s the flight time?

19.5 hours

What’s the time difference?

GMT +10

Do I need a visa to enter the country?

Yes. Tourist visas must be obtained from the Australian High Commission (see Where can I find further information?) before travel. These are valid for three months.

What’s the wedding paperwork?

• Residency There is no residential qualification required so if all your documents are in order you can effectively marry as soon as you step off the plane.
• Proof of status A Notice of Intended Marriage should be obtained from the Australian High Commission (see Where can I find further information?) before travelling.
• Proof of ID You need to show valid 10-year passports and original birth certificates.
• Divorced If you are divorced, your Decree Absolute with court stamp is required.
• Widowed If you are widowed you will be required to produce the death certificate of your former spouse and your previous marriage certificate.
• Age restrictions To marry in Australia you must be 18 years of age or over.
• Name change If your name has been changed by Deed Poll you will need legal proof, stamped and signed by a solicitor. This also applies if a married woman has reverted back to her maiden name.
• Adopted You need your original adoption certificate.

How do I obtain a marriage licence?

Weddings are conducted Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays. You will need to obtain a Notice of Intended Marriage from the Australian High Commission (see Where can I find further information?). This can be downloaded online. The document must be signed in the presence of and witnessed by:

• an Australian registered barrister or solicitor, or
• an Australian registered, legally qualified, medical practitioner, or
• an authorised celebrant (in Australia), or
• an Australian Diplomatic Officer or an Australian Consular Officer

Be sure to take your passport or some other form of identification with you and a fee of the sterling equivalent of AUS$20, which is the amount charged for each signature witnessed. Once witnessed, the notice must be sent direct to the marriage celebrant, at least one month and a day prior to the date of the proposed wedding, but not more than six months.

Where can I find further information?

A list of authorised marriage celebrants can be obtained from the Australian Attorney-General’s Department website:
www.ag.gov.au/mclisting

Australian High Commission
Australia House
Strand
London WC2
Tel: 020-7379 4334
www.uk.embassy.gov.au

Australia Tourism
www.australia.com

Disclaimer

Confetti makes reasonable efforts to obtain data from reliable sources and to keep the contents reasonably accurate. However, specifications and requirements may change and confetti cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content or information. We strongly advise you to consult other sources of information including the embassies or consulates of the countries in question or local lawyers.