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Planning a wedding can feel like juggling romance and red tape—but when it comes to the legal side of things, the process is simpler than you might think. One of the most common questions I get from couples is:
“Once we’ve chosen a celebrant, do we still need to submit paperwork to the government ourselves?”
The short answer is: No—you don’t.
Your Celebrant Takes Care of the Legal Lodgement
As an authorised celebrant in Australia, it’s my legal responsibility to manage and lodge all your marriage documentation with the relevant state registry. That includes:
So once you've chosen your celebrant and completed the necessary forms, you can focus on the fun part—planning your ceremony and celebrating your love.
What You Do Need to Prepare
While your celebrant handles the legal lodgement, you still have an important role in the process. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:
Your celebrant will guide you through each step and make sure everything is completed correctly and on time.
What Certificate Do We Take Home?
On the day, you’ll be given a beautifully printed Commonwealth Marriage Certificate—the one you sign during your ceremony. This is your first official memento as a married couple, and you get to take it home straight away.
However, this certificate isn’t valid for legal purposes such as changing your name or updating your marital status with government departments.
To do that, you’ll need to apply separately for the Registry-issued Marriage Certificate from your state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages office.
Want to understand the difference between the Commonwealth certificate and the registry-issued certificate? Read this blog post to find out more ➝ Understanding the difference between Commonwealth Marriage Certificate and Registry Style Marriage Certificate
Final Thoughts
Choosing a celebrant means choosing someone who not only tells your love story but also ensures your marriage is legally recognised. With the paperwork in safe hands, you’re free to focus on what matters most—celebrating the start of your new chapter, together.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Absolutely—you can get legally married without having a traditional wedding ceremony.
As a Commonwealth-registered celebrant based in Perth, I often work with couples who prefer a simpler, no-fuss approach to getting married. Whether you're planning a big celebration later, keeping things private, or just want to be legally married without the bells and whistles, you don’t need a wedding to make it official.
Yes—your family member can be your witness at your wedding or legal marriage registration in Australia, as long as they meet a few simple requirements.
As a Commonwealth-registered celebrant, I often get asked this question—especially by couples planning a small, intimate ceremony or a legals-only marriage. The good news is that the rules around witnesses are flexible and inclusive.
When it comes to getting legally married in Australia, there’s a lot of paperwork and formalities to cover—but luckily, some parts are more flexible than people expect.
One common question couples ask me is:
“Do our witnesses need to bring ID on the wedding day?”
The answer is: No, witnesses are not required to show ID for your marriage to be legal.
