Your Wedding – Where Do I Start?
Once you have confirmed your date it’s important to secure your Marriage Celebrant and other service providers. I am a full time Celebrant and only officiate at one ceremony per day – this is your special day and I do not want you to be under any pressure should the time of your wedding be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM). The NOIM is valid for 18 months from the day the Celebrant accepts the must be activated by at least one signature and lodged with me no later than one month prior to your wedding day. If interstate or overseas, this can be easily done where you live and scanned and emailed to me to meet the time frame.
The original must be then sent via registered mail.
The following documentation is to be presented prior to your wedding. They must be originals and in English:
- Either a passport (not cancelled) or birth certificates (translated if not in English).
- Photographic ID – either Driver’s Licence or Proof of Age Card
- If previously married, originals of divorce certificate or death certificate
Finally, prior to your Ceremony you both will sign “A Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marry”.
Overseas Couples
The Gold Coast, Tweed Heads and Northern Rivers are beautiful locations for your special day. There are many beaches and parks that would be spectacular to be married at. Alternatively, if you want a very simple and private ceremony, you are welcome to marry at my home.
Anyone can be married in Australia. Both the Bride and Groom must be 18 years of age or older. People over 16 years of age may be married, but they will require consent from a judge and both sets of parents.
Two witnesses over the age of 18 must be present at the marriage ceremony. If required, I am happy to provide the witnesses.
If either partner cannot speak English, you will need to have an interpreter present at the meetings with the celebrant and at the ceremony. The interpreter must sign a statutory declaration to certify their faithful performance in the role. For interpreting services, contact the Australian Government – Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) – Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
In regards to lodging the legal notice with me (NOIM), this can be done quite easily from an overseas country. I will help you with this and all other parts of the planning process. You are also required to provide the following identification documentation n English
- Either a passport (not cancelled) or birth certificates (translated if not in English).
- Photographic ID – either Driver’s Licence or Proof of Age Card
- If previously married, originals of divorce certificate or death certificate
As an experienced Celebrant I will make sure all aspects of your wedding from the moment you contact me to the actual wedding day run smoothly for you.
Fiancé Visa
If you have been asked by the Department of Immigration to provide a letter from the Marriage Celebrant then I can help you. This letter is called a Fiancé Visa Letter and can be written by the Celebrant as soon as you have lodged the Marriage via the NOIM form with the Celebrant.
The NOIM needs to be filled out and then your signatures need to be witnessed by an Authorized Person. As a Celebrant I am an authorised person and can do this for you. If one of the parties is overseas it is still permissible for the celebrant to write the Fiancé Visa letter if only one signature is on the NOIM. The NOIM is valid for 18 months from the day the Celebrant accepts the NOIM and the marriage cannot take place within a month of receiving the NOIM however.
If your Fiancé Visa is granted by the Department of Immigration you can then start to plan your wedding day. If you need any further information on Fiancé Visa Letters, NOIM forms or any other matter regarding being married in Australia please don’t hesitate to contact me,
Christine Mills, Marriage Celebrant, hello@christinemills.com.au