How to Get Married on the Gold Coast
Getting married on the beautiful Gold Coast is an exciting experience, but before you can say “I do,” there are a few legal steps you’ll need to complete.
Whether you’re an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or visiting from overseas, you can legally marry in Queensland as long as you meet some simple requirements.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about getting married on the Gold Coast.
Are you over 18?
Complete the Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM) Form
Before you can tie the knot, you need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form. This form must be lodged at least one month before your wedding date, which gives the authorities time to process the application. It’s an essential part of the marriage process, so don’t leave this step until the last minute!
How do you complete the NOIM Form?
You’ll need to complete the form with your celebrant as your witness, but if you’re overseas, a JP (Justice of the Peace) or another prescribed authority can do the job. The great news is that you can complete this form online with your celebrant via Zoom or FaceTime if you’re in Australia—talk about convenience! If you’re abroad, your celebrant will guide you on the best options for submitting this paperwork.
Once submitted, the NOIM form is valid for 18 months, meaning you can plan your wedding within that window.
Required Documents for your Wedding
To get married on the Gold Coast, you must provide specific documents. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Proof of identity: A valid passport is preferred. However, if you don’t have one, you can provide a combination of a birth certificate and a driver’s license.
- Previous marriages: If either of you has been previously married, you must supply divorce, annulment, or death certificates for your previous spouse.
- Translation of documents: All documents must be in English or translated by a NAATI accredited translator if they are in another language.
Wedding Ceremony and Registration
Once your marriage has been solemnized by an authorized celebrant, your celebrant will take care of submitting the paperwork to Births, Deaths, and Marriages Queensland (BDM). BDM will typically contact you within 1-2 weeks after the ceremony to confirm that your wedding has been officially registered.
At this point, you’ll be able to request your official marriage certificate from BDM for a small fee of $54.40 (current at the time of writing). While your celebrant will give you a ceremonial marriage certificate on the day, the official BDM marriage certificate is what you’ll need if you plan to change your name on official documents like your passport or driver’s license.
Getting your Official Marriage Certificate
After your wedding, you’ll need the official BDM marriage certificate to finalize name changes and other legal matters. Your celebrant can help guide you on how to apply for this certificate once your wedding is registered. Keep in mind that this certificate is required for name changes and other legal tasks.
What else should you know?
Final Info on How to Get Married on the Gold Coast
Now that you know what to do, you can focus on the fun parts of planning your wedding, like choosing your venue, picking out your dress, and creating a memorable celebration! Whether you’re a local or planning a destination wedding on the Gold Coast, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have all the legal requirements in place to get married legally and smoothly.
Let me help you make your Gold Coast wedding as stress-free and beautiful as possible. Reach out to me today to get started with your legal marriage paperwork or any questions you may have!
Happy wedding planning!