Australian Birth Certificates : you will need to apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in which you were born.
The Registry in Victoria is at 595 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Phone : 1300 363 367.
Divorce Certificates : Apply to the Family Law Court or Family Law Registry.
Australian Death Certificate : Necessary if your previous spouse has passed away. Apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state that death occurred. In Victoria, please refer to the information as provided above.
I am often asked this question by prospective brides in particular. You should sign using the name on your birth certificate or the name that you are currently using.
Only marriages conducted in Australia can be registered here. Your marriage will be registered in the country in which it took place. It is important that you obtain a Certified Copy of the Marriage Certificate before you leave the country to return home.
A foreign Marriage Certificate is sufficient evidence in Australia as to the legality and validity of marriage provided that the marriage would have been legal had it taken place in Australia.
Australian couples wishing to marry overseas should ascertain from the country concerned as to whether a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage is required.
It is not possible to have a second marriage ceremony conducted in Australia upon your return, however many couples will arrange a Renewal of Vows which allows for the participation and celebration with family at home however the ceremony carries no legal implications.
I am often asked this question by prospective brides in particular. You should sign using the name on your birth certificate or the name that you are currently using.
The short answer to this is no. A change of name is custom not law and there are many countries around the world that follow different traditions regarding title. It may interest you to know that your given name at birth is never lost but more surprisingly…that either party can adopt the name of their spouse or use a hyphenated version of both. However, it is our common practice for the woman to take the surname of her husband.
On the day of the ceremony, you will be presented with a Certificate of Marriage signed by yourselves, your witnesses and myself. This is an ornamental certificate and carries no legal weight.
As your Marriage Celebrant, I am required by law to forward all documentation to the Registry within 14 days. You will then need to apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for a Certified copy of your Marriage Certificate.