Glenda J Ashleigh

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Marriage Certificates in Australia

Marriage Certificates in Australia

Most people think of their ‘official’ Australian Marriage Certificate as the one they receive on their wedding day.  Actually, the number of Marriage Certificates signed at an Australian wedding varies depending on who officiates at the wedding ceremony.  For example, there are only two Marriage Certificates at a State Registry Office Wedding.

There are three Marriage Certificates at civil and religious weddings.  A Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrant (CMC), or a designated person of a religious organisation approved by the Australian government officiates at these wedding ceremonies.

  • The first Marriage Certificate is in the Marriage Register which I keep securely as the authorised Celebrant.  This certificate contains all the personal identity details of the Bride and Groom, including their birth dates.
  • The second Marriage Certificate is the Presentation or Ceremonial Marriage Certificate.  I present this certificate to the Bride and Groom on their wedding day at the end of the ceremony.  Although this certificate is a legal document, however it does not prove identity as it does not show birth dates.  This certificate proves that the persons named were married at a given place on a given date.  Keep this document safe!
  • The third Marriage Certificate is the Official Marriage Certificate.  This certificate contains all the personal identity details of the Bride and Groom, including their birth dates.  The Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrant (CMC), or a designated person of an Australian government approved religious organisation, submits this third certificate to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State/Territory where you marry.

How many Marriage Certificates do you need or want?

So, how many certificates do you need or want?  That is up to you!  If you want a certificate that you can use to change your name for example, then  you need to purchase a copy of your Official Marriage Certificate.  This is available from the Registry of the State/Territory where the marriage takes place.  This certificate is the ‘legal document’ that not only establishes your identity but also shows the details of your marriage.

Finally, State Registries offer a decorative, Commemorative Certificate for a fee.  This certificate is for display purposes only and is neither a legal document nor a proof of identity document.

How do you know the right questions to ask?

Do you want clear and correct information about getting married?  Do you want to know more about marriage documents?  Ask the right questions and get the correct information!

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Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes – keep them safe!

Wedding Keepsakes

Wedding keepsakes are those items and documents that make your ceremony unique and special.  These precious items include your wedding keepsakes and favours, and the Presentation Marriage Certificate.  Those something old, something blue, something borrowed items, perhaps a handkerchief, a brooch, or necklace that you carry or wear for the ceremony are very special keepsakes.   Further, these keepsakes are irreplaceable.  Also, how do you explain their loss if you borrow these items?

Unique Wedding Keepsakes

I take the time and care to design unique wedding keepsakes for your ceremony.

wedding ceremony keepsakes

Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes

  • Your ceremony script is presented as a scroll inside a cover.  A hand-made decorated sleeve secures the scroll.
  • Your personal wedding vow booklets and the scroll reflect your chosen colours of your wedding theme, or your favourite colours.
  • As a special touch, I give you a keepsake to wish you ‘good-luck’ for your married life.

When can Keepsakes go Missing?

At the end of the ceremony everyone is excited.  Everyone congratulates the happy couple or gathers for photographs, and this is the critical time when keepsake items are often misplaced or overlooked.  The Presentation Marriage Certificate and your keepsakes are treasured items that are easily lost in the excitement of the day.  The Presentation Marriage Certificate is not replaceable, however if it is mislaid or damaged, you will need to apply to the Registry for advice.

You can avoid the stress and worry of locating misplaced items if you prepare well.  After all, you want to enjoy those wonderful moments of your wedding and make beautiful memories of your special day.

Appoint a Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes and Documents Official

Here is a great wedding ceremony tip!  Appoint a reliable person as the wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents official on your wedding day.  This is an essential part of successful wedding planning!  Your wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents official is someone you trust to follow your instructions exactly!

Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes and Documents Official

Following is a basic checklist of instructions to give to your appointed Documents Official.

  • Identify yourself as the appointed  ‘wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents official’ to the Celebrant before the wedding ceremony.
  • Be available and receive the ceremony keepsakes and documents immediately after the wedding ceremony.
  • Check the contents of the envelope containing the wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents with the Celebrant.
  • Take charge of the envelope containing the ceremony keepsakes and documents, and
  • Follow instructions immediately for safe storage.  (specify exactly how, when and where.)

I meet your Wedding Ceremony Documents Official before the ceremony and check the instructions carefully.  Following the signing of the marriage documents, I hand over all keepsakes and the Presentation Marriage Certificate securely and safely to your appointed Wedding Ceremony Documents Official.  You relax and celebrate the special moments of your wedding day with family and friends, confident that your precious items are safe.

Official Marriage Documents

Do you want to know more about Australian official marriage documents?  Do you know that the Presentation Marriage Certificate is not the official marriage certificate?  Although it is a legal document, it is however, not a personal identification document (ID)?  Personal identification documents show your date of birth and this information is not shown on the Presentation Marriage Certificate.

The Official Marriage Certificate shows your date of birth and is a personal identification document (ID).  You purchase a certified copy of the official marriage certificate from the Marriage Registry in the Australian state or territory of your marriage.  This certified copy is a personal identification document and serves to verify your changed legal status as a married person.  Check out the Australian government page for the most up-to-date and accurate information about Australian marriage documents.

 

 

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Wedding Tips

Wedding Planning Tips that Make a Difference

Use great wedding planning tips to make a difference!  As a professional Registered Marriage Celebrant, I am often asked about wedding hints and tips for ceremonies.  Every ceremony is different, however the following tips apply to all wedding ceremonies.

Goodluck Horsehoe

Goodluck Horseshoe

We often overlook the really important areas of planning a wedding.  Some areas are so commonplace that we take them for granted and we hope that they will ‘look after themselves’.  We hope that we will have ‘good luck’ and that everything will go smoothly.  Brides often carry wedding charms or keepsakes such as a horseshoe to assure good luck on the day.  These are fun, however they do not guarantee that good luck will follow.

Of course you want your wedding ceremony to be breathtaking!  After all it is your special day and you expect that your ceremony will flow smoothly and be absolutely delightful.

Important Wedding Areas

Wedding ceremonies must contain the legal requirements, however just meeting the legal requirements for a marriage ceremony does not meet the requirements for an enjoyable ceremony.  Here are a few helpful wedding planning tips that I hope will help you to make your ceremony, simply the best!

  • Choose the people and services for your wedding ceremony very carefully. The success of the occasion depends on the choices you make.  How well do people understand each other?  How respectful they are of each other’s wishes?
  • Communicate at all stages of the process – planning, arriving at the venue, entrances, where people are required to stand, what they do during the ceremony and what happens at the close of the ceremony.  Don’t fall into the trap of “Oh I though you knew that…” or “Why wasn’t I told…” or “I didn’t know you wanted me to do that…”.  Keep everyone in the communication loop, including your guests.
  • Inform your celebrant of the arrangements. A really good marriage celebrant works with other service providers, eg photographers, event planners, directors and venue staff.  They encourage your guests to feel comfortable.  Everyone is there to help make this very special occasion a memorable one for all the right reasons.  Your celebrant has a big responsibility.  They are in charge of the ceremony!