Getting married in Melbourne is a wonderful moment — but it is also a legal process with a few important steps. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a large celebration, every legal marriage in Australia follows the same rules. Here’s exactly what you need to do, in order.
Step 1: Lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
Before you can marry, you and your partner must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) and give it to your celebrant. In most cases, the NOIM must be lodged at least one month before your wedding date. Once properly lodged, it is generally valid for up to 18 months, so you can plan well ahead.
Step 2: Provide your identity documents
Your celebrant is legally required to confirm who you are and that you’re free to marry. You’ll usually need to show documents such as:
- A passport or birth certificate
- A driver licence or other photo ID
- A divorce order or certificate (if you’ve been married before)
- The death certificate of a former spouse (where relevant)
- Official change-of-name documents (if applicable)
Step 3: Confirm you’re legally able to marry
Australian law requires that both people are of legal age, are not in a prohibited relationship, and are giving genuine consent — freely and without pressure. A good celebrant handles this carefully and respectfully as part of your planning.
Step 4: Have your ceremony (with two witnesses)
On the day, a legal marriage needs both partners, your authorised celebrant, and two witnesses aged 18 or over. Your celebrant will say the legally required words in English, guide you through your vows, and supervise the signing of the marriage documents. A wedding cannot be conducted entirely online — you all need to be present.
Step 5: Register your marriage
After the ceremony, your celebrant submits your marriage paperwork to Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. The pretty certificate you receive on the day is a commemorative certificate — lovely to keep, but it isn’t always accepted for legal name changes. For that, you’ll usually need to order an official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance do we need to lodge the NOIM?
At least one month before your wedding day, and it stays valid for up to 18 months.
Do we need witnesses?
Yes — two witnesses aged 18 or over must be present and sign the marriage documents. Read more in our guide to wedding witnesses in Australia.
Is the certificate we get on the day enough to change my name?
Usually not. The day-of certificate is commemorative; order the official certificate from BDM Victoria for legal purposes.
Ready to start planning?
As authorised Melbourne marriage celebrants, we guide every couple through this process from start to finish, so nothing is left to chance. Get in touch to check your date and we’ll walk you through the next steps.