Getting Married in Australia as an International Couple
If you or your partner have recently arrived in Australia and you're looking to get married, you're in good company. We help many international couples get married every year, and the process is much simpler than most people expect.
Whether you've come to Australia on a partner visa, a prospective marriage visa (also known as a fiance visa), or any other visa, the legal requirements for getting married in Australia are the same for everyone. As an experienced wedding celebrant in Melbourne, we've walked hundreds of international couples through the process. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the paperwork to the ceremony itself.
What Are the Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Australia?
Every marriage in Australia is governed by the Marriage Act 1961, and the requirements are refreshingly simple. You need:
A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form lodged with your celebrant at least one month before your ceremony
Two witnesses who are over 18 and can understand English
Valid identity documents: either a passport for each of you, OR a birth certificate along with a drivers licence
If you're using birth certificates and they're not in English, they'll need to be translated by a NAATI accredited translator. Expired passports are fine, so don't worry if yours has lapsed.
If either of you has been previously married, you'll also need to bring a divorce certificate or death certificate.
All documents must be sighted before your wedding day, so it's worth getting everything together early.
How to Lodge the NOIM When One Partner is Overseas
The NOIM form is the most important step because it starts the one month waiting period. The sooner you lodge it, the sooner you can get married.
Importantly, the overseas partner does not need to sign the NOIM before the one month waiting period begins. One partner can complete and lodge the form first, and the other partner can sign it later, as long as both signatures are completed before the wedding takes place.
Both partners will still need to sign the form, and those signatures need to be witnessed by an authorised person. You have a few options depending on where you are:
Both in Australia: Come to us and we'll witness it in person, or we can do it over Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp
Partner still overseas: Have your signature witnessed at an Australian embassy, consulate, or by a Notary Public in your country
Partner arriving soon: They can wait and sign with us once they're in Australia
Once the NOIM has been lodged with us, the one month countdown can begin, even if the overseas partner signs later.
You don't need to have a wedding date booked at this point. Many couples lodge the NOIM first to get the waiting period started, then choose a ceremony date once they know their travel plans.
Tip: When you make a booking with us, you can also complete the NOIM using our simple online form, which many international couples find much easier than dealing with the paper version.
Do You Need a Fiancé Visa Letter?
If your partner is applying for a Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300), the Department of Home Affairs requires a letter from an authorised marriage celebrant. This letter confirms that:
Your marriage has been formally booked with a celebrant
The Notice of Intended Marriage has been completed
The ceremony is scheduled to take place within the visa period
We can issue this letter on the same day. The fee is $175, and that includes any additional letters at no extra cost if your wedding date needs to change. It happens, and we're happy to help.
For full details and next steps, visit our Fiancé Visa Letter page.
What About Wedding Witnesses?
Every wedding in Australia requires two witnesses. The rules are straightforward:
Must be over 18
Must be able to understand English
Do NOT need to be Australian citizens or residents
Do NOT need to bring ID on the day
We understand this can be tricky for international couples, especially if you've recently arrived and don't have family or friends nearby. That's why we offer professional witnesses for $50 each. Just let us know when you book and we'll organise everything for you.
For more on how witnesses work, have a read of our blog post: Can You Get Married Without Witnesses?
What to Expect on Your Wedding Day
Many international couples choose our Legals Only ceremony, which starts from $295 Monday to Thursday. It's a beautiful, no fuss ceremony that covers everything legally required, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes. If you'd like something more personal with guests, vows and music, we have options for that too.
Here's what you need to do on the day:
Bring photo ID such as a drivers licence
Arrive a few minutes early to meet your celebrant
Bring your witnesses (or we'll have ours ready for you)
Enjoy the ceremony!
After the ceremony, we take care of lodging your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. If you'd like an official marriage certificate posted to you, that can be ordered separately.
Have a look at all of our ceremony packages and pricing to find the right option for you.
Documents You'll Need: A Quick Checklist
Before your ceremony, make sure you have the following documents needed to get married in Australia:
A passport for each of you, OR a birth certificate with a drivers licence
The completed NOIM form, signed and witnessed
Divorce certificate or death certificate, if either partner has been previously married
Photo ID for the ceremony day
Your two witnesses (or let us know if you'd like us to provide them)
Getting these documents sorted early is the best way to make your wedding day smooth and stress free.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're an international couple getting married in Melbourne, we'd love to help. As your wedding celebrant in Melbourne, we conduct ceremonies seven days a week, including evenings, and we can often accommodate short notice bookings.
Book your ceremony date or get in touch if you have any questions. You can also visit our Fiancé Visa Letter page if you need a celebrant letter for your fiance visa application.
We make getting married in Australia simple, whether you've just arrived or you've been here for years.