Registry-style ceremonies by civil celebrants, not a government registry office. No fuss, no frills, no wedding. Just paperwork.

Legal Marriage Requirements

Clear legal requirements for getting married in Perth, including notice, ID, witnesses, previous marriages, and in-person rules.

Perth Marriage Office is a private celebrant service for low-cost, paperwork-only marriages in Perth. Ready to get started? Click Get Married. Need help with your Notice of Intended Marriage? Use NOIM Easy.

If you want to get married in Perth through our paperwork-only service, these are the main legal rules to know.

Basic Requirements

To marry in Australia, each person must:

  • be free to marry
  • understand what marriage means
  • freely consent to the marriage
  • not be marrying a parent, child, sibling, or another close prohibited relationship

Most people getting married are adults. Marriage under 18 is rare and only happens in very limited circumstances with a court order.

Notice of Intended Marriage

You must give a Notice of Intended Marriage to your celebrant:

  • at least one calendar month before the marriage date
  • no more than 18 months before the marriage date

The one-month period starts when the NOIM is received by the celebrant, not when you start filling it out.

Identity and Birth Documents

You usually need to show either:

  • a passport, or
  • a birth certificate or official extract plus photo ID

If your documents are not in English, you will usually need a translation.

If You Have Been Married Before

If either person has been married before, you must show proof that the earlier marriage ended:

  • a divorce order, or
  • a death certificate

Witnesses

Australian law requires two witnesses at the marriage.

They must be, or appear to be, over 18 and be present for the marriage itself.

The Marriage Must Happen in Person

The marriage itself cannot happen online or by proxy.

Both parties, the celebrant, and the two witnesses must all be there in person. Before the marriage, the celebrant must also meet each party separately in person.

Interpreters

If an interpreter is needed so everyone can properly understand the ceremony, the interpreter must meet the legal requirements and complete the required paperwork.

Good News for Overseas Couples

You do not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to marry in Australia. People can marry here on many different visas, or while visiting, as long as they meet the legal requirements.

Next Step

If you meet the basic requirements and want the simplest path forward, click Get Married and then prepare your NOIM.