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Marriage Certificates
After the ceremony, the bride and groom and their witnesses will sign three sets of documents. One will be a Register that is retained by the Celebrant.
There is the Marriage Certificate that is lodged with the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and finally there is the Certificate that is given to the couple of their record of the event.
After your marriage is registered at the office of Births, Deaths and Marriages an application can be made to that office for a copy of the official Marriage Certificate.
Change of Name with Marriage
It has been customary in Australia for women to change their family name to that of their husband on marriage. To do so is a matter of choice, not a legal requirement, and many women today choose to retain their maiden name. There are no legal steps that must be taken in effecting the name change - producing an official Marriage Certificate, as evidence of entitlement to change the name should be sufficient. Because of the administrative costs associated with changing name details on driver's licences, Medicare Cards, etc., it can be advisable to wait until those registrations expire, and then advise the change of name at the time of renewal.
A woman can revert to her Maiden Name at any time, as this name is always her legal name, and her Birth Certificate will be proof of that identity. Some women will retain their Maiden Name for professional purposes, but use their partner's name socially. This is particularly the case where a career and professional identity have been established prior to marriage.
If a man wishes to change his family name to that of his partner, it is not so simple. In most states, the Change of Name is required to be registered and the required fee is payable. Check with the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the resident state to verify the local requirements.
Some couples choose to combine their names in some form. If so, it is simplest for the Groom to register a Change of Name just before the ceremony, and for the Bride to then assume the combined name with marriage.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom and their witnesses will sign three sets of documents. One will be a Register that is retained by the Celebrant.
There is the Marriage Certificate that is lodged with the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and finally there is the Certificate that is given to the couple of their record of the event.
After your marriage is registered at the office of Births, Deaths and Marriages an application can be made to that office for a copy of the official Marriage Certificate.
Change of Name with Marriage
It has been customary in Australia for women to change their family name to that of their husband on marriage. To do so is a matter of choice, not a legal requirement, and many women today choose to retain their maiden name. There are no legal steps that must be taken in effecting the name change - producing an official Marriage Certificate, as evidence of entitlement to change the name should be sufficient. Because of the administrative costs associated with changing name details on driver's licences, Medicare Cards, etc., it can be advisable to wait until those registrations expire, and then advise the change of name at the time of renewal.
A woman can revert to her Maiden Name at any time, as this name is always her legal name, and her Birth Certificate will be proof of that identity. Some women will retain their Maiden Name for professional purposes, but use their partner's name socially. This is particularly the case where a career and professional identity have been established prior to marriage.
If a man wishes to change his family name to that of his partner, it is not so simple. In most states, the Change of Name is required to be registered and the required fee is payable. Check with the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the resident state to verify the local requirements.
Some couples choose to combine their names in some form. If so, it is simplest for the Groom to register a Change of Name just before the ceremony, and for the Bride to then assume the combined name with marriage.