Code of Practice
As a Commonwealth appointed Celebrant, I am obligated by law to meet certain service standards.
Everything you need to know about what a Celebrant is required to do for you can be found here in the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants.
I am performing a legal service for you and am required to meet ongoing professional development targets annually, ensuring I am up to date with everything involved in the world of love!
Legal Wording
Your ceremony can be whatever you want it to be, seriously!
Whether it’s funny and modern or more on the traditional side,
whatever it is that will make you both feel happy and relaxed, do it!
So long as we cover the below legalities the day is yours…
Celebrant
By law I am required to say the ‘Monitum’
It is the definition of marriage in Australia
“My name is (celebrant’s full name) and I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law.”
“Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and 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 two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”
Couple
To make it all legit during your ceremony I will ask you to repeat after me to say the following:
“I call upon the persons here present
to witness that I (name)
take you (name)
to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/spouse”
The word “spouse” can be used by anyone of any identifier – male, female, intersex or transgender
This may be incorporated into your vows or the repeat after me/I Do section of the ceremony
It is the only time you must use your full names, and it must be said by both parties entering into the marriage
‘You’ may be substituted with ‘thee’ if desired
Paperwork
Notice of Intended Marriage
The first thing you need to do is fill out a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ form. This is to be completed at least one calendar month before your wedding date. I always do this with you at our first meeting together so we can get the formalities out of the way early on!
You will need to supply identification documents and have them witnessed by your celebrant or one of the witnesses listed on the form. It is sent to The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages by me within 14 days of your ceremony.
Certificates
There are two Marriage Certificates that are signed as part of your marriage ceremony.
One is sent to The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages along with your declaration to register your marriage as legally binding.
The second is kept by your marriage celebrant for their records.
They both must be signed by the Bride and Groom, your witnesses and the marriage celebrant on the day of the Ceremony.
Registry
Once your marriage is registered (by me!) you will receive your official marriage certificate by post from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages which you can use for all official things such as changing your name if you wish to.
Identification
To complete your Notice of Intended Marriage you will need to provide some information that must be supported by identification documents and witnessed by your celebrant or one of the witnesses listed in the top box on page four. It is sent to The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages by your celebrant within 14 days of your ceremony.
The documentation required is outlined on the NOIM itself, however:
If you were born in Australia then your original birth certificate OR Australian issued passports are required.
If you were born outside of Australia then your overseas passport is required. If this is not available you may provide your birth certificate.
If any of these are in a language other than english a translation must be provided by a NAATI approved translator.
If you were previously married the original copy of your divorce certificate is required. In the circumstances of death the original death certificate of your partner is required. These need to be sighted by your celebrant at any time prior to the ceremony, and the certificate number is recorded on the NOIM.
As well as the above documents another form of I.D such as a drivers licence or proof of age card must be sighted by your celebrant.
All relevant documents MUST be sighted by your celebrant prior to your wedding ceremony.