Get Married in Australia: Qualifying for a Wedding in the Land Down Under

Australia has a very diverse environment. They everything from deserts to rainforests to river valleys to mountain ranges. This diversity, along with very liberal marriage laws, makes Australia a great option for a destination wedding. If you are interested in getting married in the land down under, you need the following information.

Qualify for an Australia Marriage

In order to be approved for an Australian marriage you need to meet a few basic requirements. First of all you have to be "free to marry," this means that you have to have proof that you are either single, divorced or widowed. Next you can't marry someone who is the same sex as you are. If you are a post operative transsexual, then you are considered the sex that was assigned to you during the operation. For example, if you had gender reassignment surgery that transformed you physically from a man to a woman, then for the purposes of getting married in Australia, you are legally considered a woman. Finally, you can't marry a close relative. A close relative can be a blood relative, a relative by marriage or a relative by adoption.

Finding an Authorized Marriage Celebrant

Marriage ceremonies in Australia can only be completed by authorized marriage celebrants based on the Australian Marriage Act of 1961. These officials will have all the paper work needed for you to get married. There is a listing of authorized marriage celebrants on the Australian government site. Once you find a celebrant you want to work with, it is recommended that you have them put in writing that they have agreed to marry you on a specific date. This can be done on the same day you complete your Notice of Intent to Marry.

Australian law allows marriage celebrants to charge fees for their services. These fees are not regulated so you will want to shop around before selecting a celebrant.

Notice of Intent to Marry