To get married in Tasmania, both people must meet the legal requirements set by the Marriage Act 1961 and the Marriage Regulations 2017.
The Main Requirements
You must:
- not already be married
- not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, or sister
- usually be at least 18 years old
- understand what marriage means
- freely agree to marry
- give a NOIM to an authorised celebrant at least one month and no more than 18 months before the marriage
- be married by an authorised celebrant
What Documents Are Usually Needed
Your celebrant will usually need:
- evidence of date and place of birth, such as a birth certificate or passport
- evidence of identity, such as a driver’s licence or passport
- proof that any previous marriage has ended
- official translations for documents not in English
The Marriage Itself
For the marriage appointment:
- both people must be there in person
- the celebrant must be there in person
- two witnesses aged 18 or over must be there in person
- the required legal words must be said
- the documents must be signed
Important 2024 Change
The law now requires the celebrant to meet each person separately and in person before the marriage is solemnised.
If One of You Is Overseas
That does not stop you getting married in Tasmania. The NOIM can often still be prepared and witnessed while one person is overseas, but both people must still be physically present for the marriage itself.
If You Need More Time or Less Time
- The NOIM can be given up to 18 months ahead.
- If you need to marry in less than one month, you may need a shortening of time.
Specific Situations
These pages explain common situations that can affect the paperwork:
- Who can get married in Tasmania if you are checking eligibility
- ID requirements if you are working out which documents to prepare
- One month’s notice if you are planning the normal NOIM timing
- Shortening of time if you need to marry sooner than one month
- Marriage after divorce if either person has been married before
- Overseas residents if one or both of you live outside Australia
- Prospective marriage visa support if the marriage connects to a visa process
- Interpreters and translations if documents are not in English or either person needs language support
- Can I get married online? if you are trying to do part of the process remotely
- Marriage certificates and changing your name for after the marriage is registered
- Apostille and legalisation if the official certificate needs to be used overseas
- Destination wedding, legal marriage in Tasmania if the celebration is happening somewhere else
- Overseas marriages and Australia if you are already legally married overseas
- Prospective marriage visa letters if you need a celebrant letter after the NOIM is received
- Friend-led ceremonies if someone close to you wants to lead the personal part
- Becoming an authorised celebrant if a friend is thinking about the legal role
- Ceremonial vs official marriage certificates if you are unsure which document people mean
- Prenuptial agreements and simple marriages if financial-agreement questions sit alongside the marriage
- Marriage equality and inclusive simple marriages if you want the equal-service statement
- Marriage Act 1961 if you want the legislation context
We can explain the process, but we cannot give legal advice on your specific situation.
Which package fits?
The legal requirements are the same whichever way you marry. Once you know you are eligible, choose how much ceremony you want: the $700 paperwork-only marriage, the $1,400 elopement package, or the $1,600 wedding ceremony package. See them side by side on the pricing page.