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Before a marriage ceremony can be solemnized, the bride and groom needs to decide where the marriage will occur and whether the ceremony will be a religious or civil event. Both forms of ceremony are recognised as legal marriages by Australian law.

A Notice of Intended Marriage must be completed and lodged with the person who is going to perform the ceremony (proposed celebrant) at least one calendar month, but no more than 18 months, before the preferred date of marriage. The notice is obtained from the proposed celebrant.

The bride and groom must show the proposed celebrant documentary proof that they are 18 years old or older. That proof must be a birth certificate if born in Australia. If born outside Australia, you are required to show your birth certificate or valid overseas passport from your country of birth.

Your Notice of Intended Marriage can be lodged and witnessed by me in person, or witnessed by a prescribed authority and lodged by fax, post or email at least one month and a day prior to the ceremony date.

The original Notice must be provided to me along with copies of your original birth certificates. These need to be sighted along with your Divorce Decree Absolute or a Death Certificate of a previous spouse if you have been previously married. Notice's can be lodged up 18 months before the ceremony date.

If you are coming from overseas and do not have friends or family in Western Australia or guests attending the ceremony you still require two witnesses to the ceremony, which I am happy to arrange for you.

Should you be lodging a prospective spouse visa, to bring your partner into Australia for marriage, I am able to provide you with the letter required by the Department of Immigration.

The marriageable age in Australia is 18 years for both men and women. Marriage of somebody who is 16 years but less then 18 years is possible only if the person they are marrying is 18 years or older. In this situation, parental consent and a judge or magistrate's order are required for the minor. Two people under 18 years of age cannot marry each other.