The amendments to the Marriage Act also change the vows and monitum that are to be stated by the couple and the authorised celebrant in marriage ceremonies on and after 9 December 2017. Further information on these changes can be found in the Changes to marriage ceremony requirements fact sheet.
You must start using new marriage forms from 9 December 2017
The marriage forms will be updated so that they can be used by all eligible marrying couples. From 9 December 2017, the new forms must be used; you must cease to use previous versions of marriage forms. The new marriage forms are available at www.ag.gov.au/marriageforms, and from CanPrint Communications.
If you have received a NOIM from a couple who are a man and a woman before 9 December 2017, it remains valid (for 18 months from the date you received that NOIM).
From 9 December 2017, same-sex couples can give a NOIM to an authorised celebrant. Any NOIMs received from same-sex couples before 9 December 2017 are not valid.
Further information about the changes to the marriage forms, and how to complete the new forms, can be found in the Changes to marriage forms and certificates fact sheet.
You can continue to use Form 15 marriage certificates, and purchase new ones
You can continue to use your existing stock of Form 15 Certificates of Marriage, provided the certificate is appropriate for the particular couple you are marrying.
New versions of the certificates, without the descriptions ‘bride’ and ‘bridegroom’, are available from CanPrint Communications.
You can choose to become a religious marriage celebrant from 9 December 2017
The Marriage Act will have a new subcategory of marriage celebrant: a ‘religious marriage celebrant’.
The Marriage Act will provide protections for ministers of religion and religious marriage celebrants to act in accordance with their religious beliefs. These protections will allow ministers of religion and religious marriage celebrants to refuse to solemnise a marriage where this is consistent with their religious beliefs. Further information can be found in the Protections for ministers of religion and marriage celebrants with religious beliefs about marriage fact sheet.
From 10 December 2017, you can make a request to the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants to be identified as a ‘religious marriage celebrant’ on the register of marriage celebrants. The request must indicate that the choice to become a religious marriage celebrant is based on your religious beliefs. The Registrar will not require details of your religious beliefs.
If you choose not to identify as a religious marriage celebrant, you do not need to take any action.
If you choose to be identified as a religious marriage celebrant, you must make your request to the Registrar in writing between 10 December 2017 and 9 March 2018. There will be no extensions of time. You can make this request by either:
- Logging on to your self-service portal, clicking on the ‘Identification as religious marriage celebrant’ item on the left hand menu and ticking the box confirming you wish to be identified as a religious marriage celebrant.
The portal will be available from 10 December 2017. - Replying to this email using the following words: ‘I wish to be identified as a religious marriage celebrant under the Marriage Act 1961. I confirm that this choice is based on my religious beliefs.’ With all emails to the department it would assist if you provided your A number.
After 9 March 2018, you will no longer be able to make a request to the Registrar to become a religious marriage celebrant. This deadline is mandated by legislation. There will be no extensions of time or exceptions.
The Registrar will give you written confirmation that your details on the register of marriage celebrants have been updated.
Further information can be found in the New subcategory of religious marriage celebrant fact sheet.
You must continue to comply with your existing obligations
All of your existing obligations as a marriage celebrant continue to apply, regardless of whether or not you become a religious marriage celebrant. You will continue to be required to pay the annual celebrant registration charge, undertake ongoing professional development activities and comply with the Code of Practice for marriage celebrants.
You must comply with a new obligation when advertising from 9 December 2017
From 9 December 2017, paragraph 39G(1)(d) of the Marriage Act will impose a new legal obligation regarding advertising by marriage celebrants.
If you become a religious marriage celebrant, you must indicate in any document relating to your performance of services as a marriage celebrant (including advertisements) that you are a religious marriage celebrant.
If you do not become a religious marriage celebrant, you must indicate in any document relating to your performance of services as a marriage celebrant (including advertisements) that you are a marriage celebrant.
Further information on the changes to the Marriage Act is available at www.ag.gov.au/marriageequality.
If you have any further questions once you have read the factsheets please contact the Marriage Law and Celebrants Section on 1800 550 343 between 10am and 1pm and 2pm and 5pm AEDT Monday to Friday or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Bridget Quayle
Registrar of Marriage Celebrants
Attorney-General's Department
