Overseas Couples

Overseas Couples Marrying in Australia

Getting Married in Australia – ONLY 3 Easy Steps

Australia is one of the most captivating wedding destinations in the world, offering everything from sun-kissed beaches to lush vineyards, cosmopolitan cities, and breathtaking outback landscapes. Whether you’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a visitor on a prospective marriage visa, saying “I do” here blends unforgettable scenery with straightforward legal requirements.

This guide takes you from the very first steps of your intended marriage to receiving your official marriage certificate. You’ll discover diverse wedding ceremony styles, the most sought-after venues, and practical planning timelines. Whether you dream of a barefoot civil ceremony by the ocean or an elegant religious ceremony in a heritage chapel, Australia offers it all—supported by Commonwealth registered marriage celebrants who ensure your day is both legal and deeply personal.

Yes, It Is Very Easy to have an Australian wedding with the assistance of an experienced marriage celebrant! A celebrant who will enable you to plan while preparing and conducting a unique, inspirational, professional wedding ceremony.
View some couples from all over the world having their Wedding in Sydney. 

3 Easy Steps for a Wedding in Australia-

1. If you are in Australia we fill in the NOIM together online on the registry website. 
   If you’re overseas – Fill in the NOIM, sign and email it to me for lodgement. 
   (contact me for the latest NOIM + detailed instructions how to fill it correctly).
   The NOIM has to be lodged with me at least 1 calendar month before the wedding.
2. Arrive on the day with valid passports (Divorce/death papers if applicable). 
3. Enjoy your wedding ceremony in beautiful Sydney 🙂

View more Couples and info on getting married in Australia 

• • • You will get easy to work with marriage celebrant.
    • I will happily assist you in arranging your special day – hassle-free. 
    • We can interact easily either via webcam, Skype or phone, any App and emails. Thus, taking away a lot of the stress of organizing weddings from the other side of the world.
    • A very experienced celebrant, hence, all legal work will be done properly.
    • Overseas couples choosing a destination wedding in Australia is a special occasion. 
    • Your marriage will be registered in Australia and will be legal in your country.
    • Following the ceremony, I will register your wedding online for a quick online registration.

Australia Marriage
The Advantages of Having Your Wedding in Australia

• • • I will help you to make your dream come true – hence, tie the knot in beautiful Australia.
    • All you need to do is follow the Australian legal requirements, and generally, your marriage will be legal in your own country. (you should check with your own relevant authority)
    • You can have your wedding ceremony at any time and almost any place. (beaches, gardens, parks, onboard a boat in the beautiful Sydney harbour, indoor or outdoor)
    • You can have any ceremony secular or religious ceremony. While we can include any music and readings.
    • There is no limit to what you may include in a legal civil marriage.
    • Except for some legal wording required during the service, we can create a beautiful tailored made ceremony just for you.
    • Either with religious connotations, prayers or any other readings in your civil ceremony if you wish.
    • We can communicate entirely through emails, facetime, phone, Skype, WhatsApp, or mail.
    • You might like to check out Affordable Midweek Weddings. ( maybe under Sydney Bridge)
    • Everyone speaks English, but if you are not native English- speaker, Australia is one of the most multicultural countries on earth.
    • I can also recomend local reliable professional wedding suppliers. 

Getting Married in Australia

Contact Reliable Experienced Marriage Celebrant

Before the wedding ceremony

• • • Interact by email or phone to check my availability and to discuss lodgment of the Notice of Intent to Marry.
    • I will email you the Notice of Intent Marriage form. You will need to complete and lodge with me the form at least one month prior to the wedding.
    • Once I lodge the notice, it is valid for a maximum period of 18 months.
      I usually get couples to handle this as early as possible to ensure we have no last-minute hiccups.
      You will need to fill in page 3 of the form carefully. Then have it signed in front of an appropriate officer.
    • An appropriate officer who can sign the NOIM outside of Australia is one of the following:
      • An Australian Diplomatic Officer
      • An Australian Consular Officer
      • A Notary Public – A person in any country publicly authorized to attest contracts and perform other formalities. Someone authorized to witness legal documents.
      • An employee of the Commonwealth authorized under para 3(c)  of the Consular Fees Act 1955
      • An employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorized under para 3 (d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955
      • The easiest of all of these is usually the Notary Public.
    • Once this has been done the form should be scanned and emailed first. 
    • When a booking is made, the deposit is paid; I can email my resources folder.
      Previous clients have always valued this.

Marriage in Australia

When you arrive in Australia

• • • Any documents regarding a previous marriage must be presented to me prior to the wedding. eg A Divorce or a Death Certificate. All documents must be translated into English.
    • I will take care of all the legal work for your wedding.
    • Happy to suggest breathtaking wedding locations around Sydney.
    • Can assist you in choosing some local reliable wedding suppliers such as photographers.
    • We will create a beautiful meaningful wedding ceremony.

    • What Happens After the Honeymoon?

• • • You will receive “The Ceremonial, Australian Commonwealth, Marriage Certificate”.
    • Have your official marriage certificate from the registry sent to you at any location.
    • So Couples from the USA UK or NZ, only need the official marriage certificate from the Sydney Registry Office.
      (35 Regent Street, Chippendale Sydney Tel 1300-655236)
    • For couples from all other countries:
      So in order to register the marriage in your country, you will need to obtain an Apostil stamp from The Dept of Foreign Affairs in Sydney
      (Level 7, 26 Lee Street, Chippendale Sydney Tel 02 9207 6904)

Wedding in Australia

Overseas couples marrying in Australia DON’T need to-

• • • be a resident/citizen in Australia for any length of time (So I can actually marry you on the day you arrive)
    • stay in Australia for any length of time after the wedding
    • have any blood tests done.
    • pay any government fees
    • have any pre-marriage education  
    • go through any medical examination or certificates.
    • show identification documentation about your parents (only information that is required for the NOIM)
    • have the consent of parents/guardians if you are over 18 (as 18 is the legal age to marry in Australia)
    • follow any specific dress code
    • exchange rings – if you don’t want to
    • change your nameYour Aussie Wedding Planning Timeline

Hiring the Right Marriage Celebrant (and Other Vendors)

A marriage celebrant does more than officiate your marriage ceremony. They guide you through the legal requirements, lodge paperwork, and help personalise your vows. Look for a Commonwealth authorised celebrant who understands your style—whether romantic, lighthearted, or formal.

Other vendors to consider:

• Wedding planner

• Florist

• Photographer/videographer

• Entertainment and catering

A Short Simple Legal Overview

To be legally married in Australia:

• You must give at least one month’s notice by lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage

• Provide original documents such as your birth certificate or passport

• If previously married, provide a divorce certificate or death certificate of your previous spouse

• Be over 18 and not in a prohibited relationship

• The ceremony must be performed by an authorised celebrant with two witnesses

FAQs – Getting Married in Australia

1. Can non-residents get married in Australia?
   Yes. Tourists, temporary visa holders, and non-residents can marry in Australia as long as they meet the legal requirements under the Marriage Act.
2. How far in advance should we book?
   Book your  authorised celebrant as soon as possible to that you can secure your wedding date.
3. Can we get married on the beach or in a national park?
   Yes, but you may need a permit from local councils or park authorities.
4. How much does it cost to legally get married in Australia?
   Costs vary, but expect celebrant fees, registry charges, and sometimes venue or permit fees. A simple registry wedding may cost a few hundred dollars, while a luxury event can be much higher.
5. How to get married in Australia as a tourist?
   You can marry in Australia on a tourist visa by lodging the NOIM at least one month before your wedding date and providing the necessary ID.
6. Am I legally married in Australia if I married overseas?
   If your overseas marriage is generally recognised under Australian law, you are considered married, and you cannot remarry unless divorced.
7. Who can legally officiate a wedding in Australia?
   Only Commonwealth registered marriage celebrants, religious celebrants from recognised denominations, and certain Australian diplomatic or consular officers overseas can perform marriages.

Ask me about an amazing location for a wedding with the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bridge in the background.
For Overseas couples marrying in Australia and local couples, I can advise on beautiful wedding locations in and around Sydney.

So Contact me for any assistance or questions you might have.
It is important to remember that there can only be one legal marriage. It can be either civil or religious, any further ceremony has to be a re-affirmation of vows ceremony.

Visitors Getting Married in Sydney

For best information check –  Overseas Visitors Getting Married in Sydney.

It doesn’t matter where you are from if you wish to, you can tie the knot in Australia. 
You don’t have to be an Australian citizen, as we can use your overseas passport and you can have your wedding here in Sydney.

Just like this couple who flew all over from the USA to tie the knot here while having their honeymoon traveling around the country.

So we can communicate via emails and Skype to organize your very special wedding day here in Sydney.

Contact me so we can start planning as I will do all the legal paperwork for you.

Overseas Visitors Getting Married in Sydney

Tourists Tieing the knot in Austraia

So congratulation to the couple on their wedding ceremony. As they flew all the way from Hong Kong to wed in beautiful Sydney. With the Opera House on one side and Sydney bridge on the other. Such an amazing venue location for a wedding.

It was really easy as we communicated via emails while I took care of all the paperwork for the couple. This way the whole process of organizing a wedding from far away was stress-free. Hence, they could enjoy the beautiful journey to their wedding.

Contact me so we can start communicating via email, Skype or any other way to create an unforgettable wedding experience for you too.

Exchanging rings with the Oprah House at the background

Sydney marriage celebrant, wedding ceremonies