Legal Marriage Requirements in Melbourne

This page gives the plain-English version of the legal requirements for getting married in Melbourne.

For the official law, use:

• the Marriage Act 1961
• the Marriage Regulations 2017
• the Marriage celebrant guidelines

Basic legal requirements

To get married in Australia, you generally must:

• be 18 or older, unless a court has approved a rare minor marriage
• not already be married
• not be marrying a close relative
• understand what marriage means
• freely agree to the marriage

Paperwork requirements

Before the marriage, the celebrant needs:

• a NOIM received at least one month before the marriage, unless a shortening of time is approved
• proof of date and place of birth for each party
• proof of identity for each party
• divorce papers or a death certificate if either party has been married before

The easiest way to prepare the NOIM is with NOIM Easy.

On the day requirements

For the marriage itself:

• the celebrant must be physically present
• both parties must be physically present
• there must be at least two witnesses aged 18 or over
• the required legal words must be said
• the marriage documents must be signed

For a private celebrant marriage, the celebrant must also meet each party separately in person before the marriage.

Language and interpreters

If either of you does not understand English well enough for the legal process, an interpreter may be needed.

If your documents are not in English, you will usually need NAATI-certified translations.

Overseas visitors

You do not need to be an Australian citizen or resident to get married here.

People can marry in Australia on many different visa types, including while visiting from overseas.

Need help with the practical side?

Start with these pages:

• NOIM guide
• ID requirements
• Overseas visitors
• Translation and interpreters
• One month’s notice