Legal Marriage Requirements

To get married in Australia through Byron Bay Marriage Office, you must meet the normal legal requirements under the Marriage Act 1961. For a quick eligibility check, see who can get married.

You must

• be 18 or older, unless a court has approved a marriage involving a 16 or 17 year old
• not already be married
• not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, or sister
• understand what marriage means
• freely consent to the marriage
• give the required notice

You need to give notice

Usually, you must give a Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month before the marriage date and no more than 18 months before it.

You can prepare the form with NOIM Easy. Read our NOIM guide for the details, and shortening of time if you need to marry sooner.

You need the right documents

Usually, that means:

• proof of date and place of birth
• photo ID
• evidence of any name change
• divorce or death documents if a previous marriage has ended
• translated documents if anything is not in English

See ID needed to get married, marriage after divorce, and interpreters and translators.

You need to be there in person

For the marriage itself:

• both of you must be physically present
• the celebrant must be physically present
• two witnesses aged 18 or over must be physically present

You cannot get legally married online or by proxy in Australia.

There are a few extra rules that can matter

• before the marriage is solemnised, the celebrant must meet each party separately and in person
• if either of you does not understand English well enough, an interpreter may be needed
• if your documents are not in English, you will usually need official translations

Need help with the paperwork?

That is what we do.

Every one of our packages includes the paperwork check: paperwork only ($780), elopement ceremony ($1,800), and wedding ceremony ($2,200).

Book paperwork only at paperwork.net.au/book, or enquire about a ceremony, then work through the notice and send the documents in.