Frequently Asked Questions

What is a civil marriage celebrant?

A Civil Marriage Celebrant is someone who has been appointed by the Australian Commonwealth Attorney General to solemnise marriages at any location in Australia.

How soon can we get married?

You can get married one calendar month and one day after the celebrant receives the Notice of Intended Marriage (valid for eighteen months).

What do we do next?

You must be at least 18 years of age to marry in Australia. Before you can be married, Australian law requires you to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (which I will provide) or you can print the NIM from the Attorney General's website www.ag.gov.au/celebrants  and have it signed by an authorised person.  

What documents do we need to bring?

I must sight your original birth certificates or authorised extract. If you were born overseas and can’t produce your birth certificate, your overseas passport will be accepted.  If either of you have been married before, I must sight an original copy of your Decree Absolute, or the Death Certificate of your former spouse, whichever is applicable.  If you were born in Australia you must provide a copy of your birth certificate, an Australian passport will not be accepted. These documents must be produced before the marriage can take place. 

Anything else?

Where can we get married?

Your wedding can be held just about anywhere: beaches, parks, gardens, private homes, boats or restaurants. I will be happy to make some suggestions if you are unsure of a location. If you choose an outside location ensure you have an alternate venue incase of bad weather. Contact the local council for any outside venues as some of them only charge if you have more than thirty people attending. Some councils don't allow PA systems, amplified sound or marquees, so be sure to check before you book.

I am based in Sydney's Inner West, which is only 10 minutes from the city and close to most areas of Sydney. I am available for ceremonies in the Sydney Metropolitan Area, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, South Coast and beyond.

We live overseas/interstate, can we get married in Sydney during our holiday?

Yes, you can, providing all the legal requirements are met. The Notice of Intended Marriage must be received by me no less than one calendar month and one day prior to the wedding. The details can be arranged via email, telephone and fax. You plans can be finalised when you arrive in the country/state. Bookings will only be accepted with a deposit of A$150.00. I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Money Order/Bank Draft or Direct Deposit.

You will need to:

• Complete a Notice of Intended Marriage - I can email this to you or it can be obtained from any Australian Embassy world wide or on-line at www.ag.gov.au/celebrants
• Have your signatures witnessed by an Australian Consulate official or Notary Public. (The witness must also sight your your relevant documents - ie. birth certificate, divorce papers, death certificate)
• Fax or email me a copy of the NIM with copies of your supporting documents.
• Send the originals by registered mail or bring with you. (I must sight the original documents before the marriage can proceed).
• If you were born outside Australia, you must provide your birth certificate or overseas passport.
• If you were born in Australia you must provide your birth certificate.
• If either of you have been previously married, you need to provide the original or certified copy of your Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate of former spouse.
• You must both be over the age of eighteen.
• You will need two witness over the age of eighteen.

* Fiancé Visa - If your fiancé wishes to enter Australia under the prospective marriage (fiancé) plan, I will supply a suitable letter for the Australian Consulate along with a copy of the Notice of Intended Marriage. Only one person needs to come to the initial interview to complete the legal forms. For couples who are overseas prior to the wedding, all the arrangements can be completed via telephone, email or by post.  

* After the Wedding

British Commonweath residents will need a registered copy of their marriage certificate. I will register your marriage on-line on the same day as your wedding. You can apply for the copy the next working day from  the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages at their Chippendale or Parramatta offices -Telephone: 1300 655 236. I can order this for you directly after your wedding or provide you with an application form. The fee is $42.00 or if required urgently $63.00.

Residents from other countries will need a registered copy of their marriage certificate and also an Apostile stamp from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Sydney,  Level 7, 26 Lee Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or follow the link www.dfat.gov.au/sydney/ to be able to register the marriage in your country of residence. Please allow at least two working days after your marriage to organise this.

How much does it cost?

My fee for a standard wedding is $450.00*. Extra charges may apply for long distance travel, water taxi fees if ceremony is on a boat, national park entry fees.  A booking fee/deposit of $150.00 is required when signing the Notice of Intended Marriage and the balance is payable no later than two weeks prior to the wedding. * Please go to the Weddings page for options.

How do I change my name?

I will supply you with a free name change kit. You will also need a registered copy of your marriage certificate to prove that you are married.  This can be obtained from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages at Chippendale or Parramatta offices. Telephone: 1300 655 236. I can order this for you directly after your wedding or provide you with an application form. The fee is $42.00 or if required urgently $63.00.

How do we pay you?

Payment can be made by cash, money order, cheque, credit card, american express or direct deposit into my bank account. Please contact me for details.