ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR COUPLES

Attorney General - Australia

If your questions about getting married in Australia haven’t been answered on this website, please go to the website of the Australian Attorney General.  If your celebrant hasn’t provided you with a copy of the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) you may download it from this website.

Applying for a birth certificate.

If you were born in Australia and do not have  your birth certificate will need to apply to the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state on which you were born for a replacement certificate .

Queensland

New South Wales

Victoria

Tasmania

South Australia

Western Australia

Northern Territory

ACT

Remarriage.

If either of you had been previously married you will need either a copy of your former spouse's death certificate - available for the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in which the person died - click on the appropriate state above if you need an replacement certificate.

If your previous marriage ended in divorce, you will need your Certificate of Divorce - if you do not have it, you need to contact the Family Law Courts for a replacement certificate.

Planning an Outdoor Wedding in the Sunshine Coast Region

If you are planning on using a public space, you will need local council permission.  There is usually a fee involved.   Click here for details and the necessary application forms for The Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

If your marriage ceremony is on a beach you should check the tide times for your chosen location: Tide Times

For an outdoor wedding you may wish to  know the times of  Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise or Moonset

You may need to apply for a  spousal visa from the Immigration Department.

Authentications and Apostilles

Overseas governments sometimes need proof that Australian documents, or the signatures of Australian officials on documents, are genuine before they will accept them.  Further information can be obtained from:  http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/authen.html

After Your Marriage

Your Registered Marriage Certificate

I strongly recommend that you obtain a copy of your official marriage certificate from the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Brisbane (for marriages conducted in Queensland) as it is needed to change your name as a result of marriage and to prove that you are married.  The current cost is $35.00 for a standard certificate or $49.00 for a commemorative package.  Options available as a commemorative package are listed on the above site.  It should be available approximately 6 weeks after your marriage.

To Change Your Name

If the bride is taking her new husband's surname then she may legally begin using it from the moment the marriage is solemnized - after all certificates have been signed, however, she will need to obtain a copy of the registered Marriage Certificate in order to effect a name change with various  organisations.

• Drivers Licence:

You will need to contact Queensland Transport

• Medicare:

You will need to visit a Medicare office with your current Medicare card and your marriage certificate.  Once the name is changed, the old card is cancelled and is kept by Medicare. At this time you will be advised of your new Medicare card number and your new card will be forwarded to you by mail.

• Australian Tax Office:

Information can be obtained from ATO.

• Passport:

Information about changing your name on an Australian passport can be obtained from the Passports Office.  If you leave your passport in your maiden name, it is important to ensure that your travel documents are also in your maiden name.

•  Others

You may also need to consider any bank, insurance and superannuation accounts you have.

 Using a combination of your names:

Should one or both of you choose to use a combination of your names, you will need to contact the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in which you were born to apply for a formal name change - see above for links.

 A wedding celebrant for the Sunshine Coast: Maleny, Montville, Mapleton, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Caloundra, Coolum, Peachester, Witta, Landsborugh, Beerwah etc.