To be married in Australia you need to show the celebrant proof of who you are, where you where born and the birth date and proof you are not married currently.


This can be shown by using an Original Birth certificate or a Registered copy of such. If the document is not in English, you will need to have the document translated into English by an authorised Translator. You can find them through Naati at www.naati.com.au

The Celebrant can also accept an Overseas Passport if born overseas.

Unfortunately the Celebrant cannot accept an Australian Passport as proof of birth. The passport can be used as a form of photo ID but not as proof of birth.

If you cannot show any of these documents then the Celebrant may be able to write you a Statutory Declaration that includes all your details, where and when you where born, your parents names and why you cannot produce a birth certificate. This can be done under exceptional circumstances for those born overseas (ie: Civil War destroying documents, etc..) and the Celebrant will probably discuss with the office of Births, Deaths and Marriages before embarking on this process.

If you have been married before you will need to show divorce or death certificates. All these documents can be shown any time before the Marriage is performed.

When producing Birth Certificates you will find that they do not have any photo identification on them so the Celebrant will also ask you for some photo ID such as Drivers Licence, 18+ card or Passport.

For more information you can goto:
Perth BDM
Brad Whitelock, Perth Celebrant

Brad Whitelock, Perth Marriage Celebrant



Photos and Text by Brad Whitelock, Perth Marriage Celebrant.