The legal steps for getting married in Australia, in order. A federal law applies everywhere: a Notice of Intended Marriage and an authorised celebrant.
General guidance, not legal advice. Marriage is governed by the federal Marriage Act, but your state or territory registry issues the certificate. Confirm specifics with your authorised celebrant.
About 9 months before the wedding
Every legal marriage in Australia is conducted by an authorised celebrant, who must be with you and two witnesses. That can be a civil celebrant, a state or territory registry celebrant, or a minister of a recognised religion. Check they're on the official register.
About 13 weeks before the wedding
Each of you needs proof of your date and place of birth (a birth certificate or passport, or a statutory declaration where that isn't possible). If either of you was married before, you need proof it ended, and a pending divorce must be finalised before the wedding.
About 9 weeks before the wedding
You both sign the notice and give it to your celebrant, who must see your ID. It has to be given at least 1 month, and no more than 18 months, before the wedding. A shorter notice is possible only in limited cases, so don't count on it. Give it earlier than the minimum.
Getting married in AustraliaAbout 3 weeks before the wedding
Your celebrant verifies your identity and eligibility. Sort out any issue, such as missing evidence or a pending divorce, well before the day.
On the day
Before the ceremony you each declare you're free to marry. The marriage can't go ahead without it. Your celebrant will tell you when you sign it, usually on the day.
On the day
You need two witnesses aged 18 or over, and the celebrant must include the legally required words. You, your witnesses and your celebrant sign the paperwork, and you're given a keepsake certificate, which isn't the official one.
Within about 7 days after the wedding
Your celebrant must lodge the signed documents with the state or territory registry within 14 days. Ask them to confirm it's done.
Within about 3 weeks after the wedding
Order it from the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry of the state where you married. Fees and times vary (about $70 online in New South Wales, as of writing). You'll need it for name changes, Medicare, banks and visas.
Every legal wedding in Australia is conducted by an authorised celebrant, who must be present with two witnesses. A ceremony without one isn't legally binding.