Application for Marriage Certificate

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Use this form to apply for a Standard or Commemorative Marriage Certificate from NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages.

This Marriage Certificate is the legal document you will need to supply if you wish to change your name.

Download Application for Marriage Certificate

Changing your name

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After you are married you may choose to take your partner's surname.

This is easily done once you have received your Marriage Certificate

Present the certificate at the RTA and complete a change of details form to receive a new license.

Banks and Financial Institutes may require a certified copy by faxed to them or to see the original Marriage Certificate at a local branch.

A helpful tip so you don't miss anything is to keep and eye on the mail and contact anyone who is still using your previous name.

Don't forget about phone companies, utilities, superannuation, work as well as letting friends and family know.

There are organisations, like NameChange.com.au, who will help you write your correspondence for a fee.

Please note: Changing your name is not a legal requirement. It is purely a matter or choice. A bride can take a groom's name or a groom can take the surname of his bride.
To legally hyphenate your name you may need to complete a change of name through Births Deaths and Marriages. The application form can be downloaded below.

Application to Register a Change of Name

Ceremony Examples

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No two weddings should ever be the same, because no two people have the same relationship.

The examples within this document are to help you create and understand the wedding ceremony structure and inspire you to make your own wedding a reflection of your personalities and what you feel for each other.

Download Ceremony Examples

Wedding Reading and Verses

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Sometimes it can take an expert to put how you feel into words.

Using a reading or verse within your ceremony can be a great way to reflect your feelings, or to include a guest or member of the family in your ceremony.

Download Wedding Readings and Verses

Planning Your Ceremony

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Your wedding ceremony should be as unique as your relationship.

This ceremony document is designed to help you understand the wedding ceremony structure, the legalities of the ceremony and also some options that are available to you to personalise your ceremony.

This is NOT a cut and paste document. If you see sections or sentiments that you like please make a note and email them to me so that I can help personalise and tweak these passage to suit your ceremony and your personalities.

Download Planning Your Ceremony

Application for Australian Birth Certificate

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If you were born in Australia you are required to show your celebrant an original Australian Birth Certificate .
If you do not have a birth certificate (or can't find it) you can apply in person, or by fax or email to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in your state.

Download Application Form Australian Birth Certificate (NSW)

NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages
QLD Births, Deaths and Marriages
VIC Births, Deaths and Marriages
SA Births, Deaths and Marriages
WA Births, Deaths and Marriages
NT Births, Deaths and Marriages
TAS Births, Deaths and Marriages

Statutory Declarations

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You may need to complete a Statutory Declaration if you cannot provide the appropriate forms of identification or paperwork required for your marriage ceremony.

You must use the prescribed form (download below) to make your declaration and will also be required to sign your declaration in front of an appropriate witness.

It is always best to discuss your situation with your celebrant to make sure you are completing the appropriate paperwork and completing it correctly.

Download Statutory Declaration

An example of how to complete the declaration in the instance of not being able to provide a birth certificate or overseas passport would be:

I, [FULL NAME], [OCCUPATION] of [FULL ADDRESS]

make the following declaration under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959:

[PLACE, COUNTRY and DATE OF BIRTH], [FATHERS FULL NAME and COUNTRY OF BIRTH], [MOTHER'S FULL NAME (nee MAIDEN NAME) and COUNTRY OF BIRTH]. I have not been able to obtain a copy of my birth certificate from [PLACE]. I am the holder of Australian Passport #000 00000 000 and Australian Citizenship # 0000000

Notice of Intended Marriage

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The Notice of Intended Marriage has to be completed by any couple planning to marry in Australia.

To see a youtube video that explains how to complete the Notice click here.

Download Notice of Intended Marriage

To complete the Notice you will need to know the details of your birth and other details applicable to your circumstances.

It is a requirement that the celebrant see all legal documents that relate to your personal situation and these must be provided as originals (not certified copies or extracts).

BORN IN AUSTRALIA You will need to show an original Australian Birth Certificate.
BORN OVERSEAS You will need to show an original Birth Certificate or Current Overseas Passport.

PREVIOUSLY MARRIED
You will need to show an original Divorce Certificate.

UNABLE TO SUPPLY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
You may need to complete a Statutory Declaration. It is best to talk to your celebrant about your personal situation and discuss what may be required.

UNDER THE AGE OF 18
You will need to apply through Family Court for approval to marry. It is important to know that only one party to the marriage can be under the age of 18. If both persons are under age the marriage can not occur.