Before the day

Before your big day, there are a number of steps you’ll need to go through before you are legally married in Australia. Don’t worry though, that’s what I’m here for. I will guide you through this process step-by-step.

As a civil marriage celebrant, I am registered with the Attorney General’s office and legally bound to ensure any marriages I oversee meet the expectations of the laws of Australia.

Gathering up your paperwork

Before coming to your first meeting with me, you’ll want to dig out both of your birth certificates.  You’ll also need to bring one piece of photographic identification each, such as:

• Your driver’s licence OR
• Your passport.

Bring both if you have them handy.

If you have been previously married, please also bring with you evidence of the dissolution of the marriage.

What if you don’t have a birth certificate?

If you don’t have your original birth certificate, don’t worry. You simply need to apply for an extract of your birth certificate from The Department of the Attorney General. An “extract” is another word for an official copy. The cost is usually around $48 to purchase an extract.

What happens next? 

When I meet with you in person, we’ll make a start on the paperwork, which is then submitted after the marriage ceremony to Births, Deaths and Marriages in Perth.