With the perfect climate for outdoor weddings year round and the flexibility to have civil ceremonies virtually anywhere, it doesn’t get much better than Australia when it comes to choosing a destination to elope to, ok maybe we’re a little bias, but really you are spoilt for choice when it comes to eloping in Australia from overseas.

Today Brisbane Celebrants Jamie and Cara from Brisbane City Celebrants are filling us in on everything you need to know to elope in Australia.

So, what’s the process? Firstly, it’s important to be aware that in Australia, a marriage can only take place if the official marriage paperwork form known as the NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage) form is received by the Celebrant no less than 1 calendar month before the date of the marriage.

The good news is this doesn’t stop couples based overseas from planning a wedding in Australia, even if they are only arriving in Australia a day or two before the marriage take place.

There are no requirements to be an Australia resident or citizen to wed in Australia, so anyone that has completed the following paperwork process within the required time frame can legally marry, whether living in Australia or simply planning a visit or holiday to elope.

NOIM FORM PROCESS

The NOIM form is available for download from the Attorney-General website, or alternatively, our personal preference is to use an online program, which allows our overseas based couples to complete their details online. All details then get pre-populated in to the NOIM form, which we then check has been completely correctly, before returning to our couples as a PDF document for them to print.

The NOIM form must be signed by the marrying person, in the presence of an authorised person as listed below in the country you are based in.

If you are signing the NOIM whilst overseas (in any country other than Australia) you require one of the following parties to witness you signing the NOIM form:

A Notice of Intended Marriage form signed outside Australia must be signed in the presence of either:
– an Australian Diplomatic Officer;
– an Australian Consular Officer;
– a notary public;
– an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under para 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955;
– an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under para 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.

If one of the marrying persons is not reasonably able to have their signature witnessed by one of the above, the Celebrant is permitted to accept the NOIM with just one of the parties signatures, with the second signature on the official NOIM form, witnessed by the Celebrant on arrival in Australia.

The signed and witnessed NOIM form can be accepted by the Celebrant electronically, and you can bring the original version with you, or you can post the original to your Celebrant. The date your Celebrant receives the signed and witnessed NOIM either electronically or by mail, is the date your NOIM form is officially ‘lodged’ with your Celebrant and you can then marry any time from and including 1 calendar month from that date.

DESIGNING YOUR CEREMONY

Now for the fun stuff, you can make an appointment with your Celebrant, perhaps  by phone, Skype or Facetime to discuss the kind of ceremony you would like and anything you would like to include within your ceremony. If you are from overseas, feel free to incorporate wedding traditions from your own country in your ceremony if you like.

Your Celebrant will talk you through ideas, ask lots of questions and make suggestions to ensure they are on the same page when it comes to creating the kind of ceremony you have in mind.

Check with your Celebrant when the payment is due and how they accept payment from overseas.

ON ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA

When you arrive in Australia you will need to make a time to meet with your Celebrant in person to:

  • Provide the original signed and witnessed NOIM form, if this hasn’t already been mailed to your Celebrant;
  • For your Celebrant to sight your ID (passport, or Birth Certificate + Drivers Licence)
  • To both sign a form called ‘The Declaration’ declaring there is no legal reason why you can’t marry each other.
  • Confirm the finer details of your ceremony.

Another benefit of using the online form program provided by many Celebrants, is all the required forms, including the declaration and marriage certificates are pre-populated which ensures accuracy and saves you lots of time completing multiple forms.

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Once the above legal paperwork has been attended to, and your ceremony design and wording has been finalised, you can relax and enjoy the amazing experience of eloping in Australia!

 

Images via ‘Amwika and Anthony’ – Brisbane Elopement with Celebrant Jamie Eastgate, Captured by Jacques Sadie Photography and Design.

 

About Brisbane City Celebrants: Brisbane’s most highly recommended Marriage Celebrant duo specialising in modern, simple, meaningful, sweet, happy weddings. With a choice of an experienced and passionate female or male celebrant, our couples describe us as warm, friendly and calming. You can find Brisbane City Celebrants on the Polka Dot Bride directory here.