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The Marriage Act 1961 lists the legal requirements for marriage. Essentially these are:
- The bride and groom must give notice of their intended marriage
to their celebrant/ minister not less than one month and one day and
not more than 18 months before the date of the marriage. The notice
must be given on the form 'Notice of Intended Marriage'.
- The bride and groom must be 18 years of age otherwise parents' consent is required.
- The bride and groom must produce evidence of their age to their
celebrant/minister. This must be by official birth certificates or in
special cases, passports or Certificates of Naturalisation with a
statutory declaration stating the full reason why the birth certificate
could not be produced.
- If either party has been previously married, evidence of
termination of the marriage must be produced to their
celebrant/minister. This is by certificate of decree absolute or full
death certificate.
- A fee must be paid, which varies from State to State.
- The ceremony must be witnessed by two people who are over 18 years of age.
At the end of your ceremony you will be required to sign the
Marriage Register, Certificate of Marriage and Wedding Certificate in
front of two witnesses and your celebrant/minister.
A bride is not required to take her husband's surname. If you do choose
to change your name, sign your maiden name on your marriage
certificate; from then on sign your new, married name.
Upon marriage any previous will becomes ineffective. So after
your wedding remember to make an appointment with your solicitor to
make another will.
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