Overseas Marriages and Australia

If you are legally married overseas, Australia will generally recognise that marriage if:

• it was valid under the law of the country where it happened, and
• it would also be a valid marriage under Australian law

What Australia does not do

Australia does not re-register overseas marriages.

So if you already have a valid overseas marriage, you do not bring it to Byron Bay Marriage Office to “register it” here.

If you want an Australian marriage certificate

You cannot get an Australian marriage certificate by registering an overseas marriage.

You only get an Australian certificate from an Australian marriage.

If you have not married yet

If you want the simple Australian legal marriage first, and the celebration elsewhere later, our paperwork-only service may suit you.

Book at paperwork.net.au/book.

If you need country-specific advice about whether an overseas marriage is recognised, get legal advice.