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Congratulations on your engagement! Now for the technicalities. Deciding to marry is an important step in your life
as well as
the romance and promise of a happy and fulfilling life together, remember that marriage is a legal state.
The Family Court, which exists to preserve and protect the institution of marriage, says that marriage is
“the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."
Like most important things in life, getting married - and marriage itself - have legal consequences and laws that apply to them.
The legal requirements of "getting married" are straight forward, and once you have decided how you would like to be married, your celebrant will advise you of your responsibilities, and also help ensure that you to meet them. In other words: "forewarned is forearmed".
In all areas of your life, it pays to know where you stand legally, so let us take a quick look at how the law sees your intention to be married.
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By law, both parties should be over the age of 18 years. If, however, one partner wishing to he married is under the age of 18 years, the path is going to be a little harder for you than if you were over the age of 18.
If one partner is younger than 18, you must have both parental consent and a magistrate's or judge's order before you can be married. The documents necessary to do this can be obtained from the person who is to marry you both.
The Marriage Act 1961 - 1976 prevents two people each under the age of 18 to be married.
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You must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage Form at least one month before the date of your
wedding. Your celebrant will provide you with a Form, and it should be lodged with him/ her once you have completed the details on the first page.
Do not presign the form, as all signing, witnessing and dating must be done in front of an authorised person listed on the reverse side. It is preferable that you print all your details.
When you lodge the Form, you must first show a full Birth Certificate. Passports and/ or Australian Naturalisation Certificates may also be shown as well as, but not instead of, full Birth Certificates. Also a copy of a Decree Absolute or Death Certificate, if applicable, must be shown to prove that any previous marriage has been legally terminated.
Until you have signed the form and it has been witnessed and dated by an authorised person, you have not started the legal process.
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The person who is to marry you plays a very important role on your wedding day, and also throughout the planning of your wedding. You will get to know him/ her very well, so it is important you choose someone you both like, and trust, and with whom you feel comfortable. This person is responsible for ensuring you fulfill all legal requirements, and for lodging your paperwork in relation to your marriage.
It is recommended that you confirm date, time and location of your wedding with your celebrant as early as possible in the planning stages - Do not leave it until the last thing, as very often you will find that your planned date and time have been already booked and confirmed by someone else a little more “on the ball, and your choice of alternative celebrants will be limited or non-existent!
FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO YOU WHEN YOU HAVE MADE A FIRM BOOKING.
Compiled by your friendly
Civil Marriage Celebrant: Steve Rowan
Finalist from 1998 to 2002, and again 2004
and 2005
Australian Bridal industry Awards for Excellence
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