Before you can marry, the law requires that you sign and lodge with your Marriage Celebrant a completed Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form. The form must be lodged with your Marriage Celebrant a minimum of one calendar month and one day prior to their wedding day. The Notice of Intended Marriage cannot be lodged with the celebrant more than eighteen months prior to the wedding taking place.

Under Australian law, marriage of any person under 18 without a judge's or a magistrate's order is invalid. As well, under no circumstances can two people under 18 marry.

Both parties must provide evidence to support their NOIM by providing the following documentation:

• An original Birth Certificate;
• An original Overseas Passport (An Australian Passport is NOT acceptable).

 People who have been previously married must also supply:

•  An original Divorce Certificate or a Divorce Absolute;
• An original Death Certificate;
• An original certificate of legal nullity (Not a Church Nullity).

 If the person has legally changed their name:

•  An original Deed Poll or Name Change Certificate.

 During the week before the ceremony date the marrying couple are required to attend a meeting to check their certificates for accuracy and to sign declarations stating that they are free to marry.

Where either party has previously been married, a copy of the Final Decree, Decree Absolute or Death Certificate of the previous partner must be shown.

The original documents must be supplied before I can conduct your wedding. When you book your ceremony, I will give you the NOIM and will help you to complete the forms required by law.

After the marriage couples must obtain their own Registered Marriage Certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If you live in or near Brisbane, you can apply at the office at 110 George Street, Brisbane or download the application for Marriage Certificate off their website.

Legal requirements for Celebrants:

There are only three things that are legally required for the actual ceremony to take place.

There is a legal statement that ALL celebrants are required to state. This explains what marriage means in Australia - Section 46 (2) of the Marriage Act 1961 as amended.

The vows MUST comply with the current legal ruling of Section 45 (2) of the Marriage Act 1961 As amended

There must be two witnesses who are over the age of 18 years present to witness the documents.

Marriage Documents

Notice of Intended Marriage Form - Completed up to 18 months prior to the marriage but no later than one month and one day prior. Checked and signed at our first meeting. Visit www.ag.gov.au to obtain a form. At the first meeting full birth certificates are produced for verification. If either or both parties have been married previously divorce papers need to be produced.

Declarations - Completed at a pre-wedding meeting the week prior to marriage.

Certificate of Marriage - Completed in duplicate in the presence of two witnesses (18 years or older) at the ceremony. The original is then forwarded to the office of Births, Deaths and Marriages after the ceremony.

Government Stamped Certificate of Marriage - A certified copy of the 'Certificate of Marriage' can be applied for from the Queensland Government's office of Births, Deaths and marriages after the ceremony.