The complete legal checklist for 2026

If you are planning a wedding in South Australia, the legal steps are simple once you see them in order.

This page is your step by step checklist, so you can get the paperwork right the first time, avoid delays, and enjoy the fun parts of planning.

I’m John Middleton, an Adelaide marriage celebrant. I help couples handle the legal side smoothly, then I deliver a ceremony that feels relaxed, meaningful, and properly you.

Last updated: 16 January 2026.

Quick links

Legal checklist steps
After the ceremony, certificates and name changes
Registry office rules in Adelaide
Helpful links and next steps

Before you start, make sure you are eligible

Most couples are, however it is worth checking the basics.

To get married in Australia you must:
Not already be married
Not marry a close family member such as a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
Be at least 18, unless a court approves a 16 to 17 marriage
Understand what marriage means and freely agree
Use specific legal words during the ceremony
Give your Notice of Intended Marriage to an authorised marriage celebrant at least 1 month and no more than 18 months before the wedding
Get married by an authorised marriage celebrant

The legal checklist

Step 1, lock in your date range early

First, pick a realistic window for your ceremony. Then work backwards.

Importantly, the Notice of Intended Marriage timing sets your earliest legal wedding date for most couples.

Step 2, choose your ceremony type

You generally have three common options in South Australia.

Registry office wedding in Adelaide
Legals only marriage ceremony with a private celebrant
Full personalised wedding ceremony with a private celebrant

If you are comparing the registry office option, read this post next:
https://johnmiddleton.com.au/2026/01/15/registry-office-wedding-adelaide-vs-celebrant/

Step 3, book an authorised marriage celebrant

You need an authorised celebrant to legally marry in Australia.

If you want to see my service options and availability:
https://johnmiddleton.com.au/marriage-celebrant-adelaide/
https://johnmiddleton.com.au/check-availability/

Step 4, complete your Notice of Intended Marriage

You need to lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage at least 1 calendar month before your wedding date.

Also, the registry office information states your notice remains valid for up to 18 months, so you can plan well ahead if you like.

Helpful pages:
South Australia register intention to marry
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/births-deaths-and-marriages/marriages-and-relationships/register-intention

Australian Government get married overview
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/marriage/get-married

NOIM form download page
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/notice-intended-marriage

Step 5, get the NOIM witnessed correctly

This is where couples sometimes slip up, especially if one or both of you are overseas.

If you sign the NOIM in Australia, you must sign in front of an authorised witness such as:
An authorised marriage celebrant
A Justice of the Peace
A barrister or solicitor
A legally qualified medical doctor
A police officer, state or federal

If you sign outside Australia, you must sign in front of an authorised overseas witness such as:
An Australian Diplomatic Officer
An Australian Consular Officer
A notary public
And other authorised Commonwealth or Trade Commission officers listed on the SA Government page

Also, the Australian Government notes that remote witnessing of the NOIM is now available, with location dependent rules for where the couple and the authorised witness must be.

Step 6, gather the right documents

You will usually need to provide supporting evidence with your NOIM, including:

Evidence of date and place of birth
Birth certificate or passport
If you use a passport, make sure it shows your place of birth, not just nationality

Photo ID
Driver’s licence or proof of age card, if needed

Proof that any previous marriage has ended
Divorce certificate, or overseas equivalent
Death certificate, if a previous partner has died
If names differ across documents, you may need your marriage certificate as well

Translations
If documents are in another language, organise an authorised English translation

Step 7, plan your witnesses

You need two witnesses who are 18 or over.

Choose people who will arrive early, stay calm, and sign quickly when asked.

Step 8, understand the legal words in the ceremony

Australian marriage law requires specific words during the ceremony.

In a civil ceremony, your celebrant must say the Monitum, which includes:
A statement that the celebrant is authorised to solemnise marriages according to law
A reminder about the solemn and binding nature of marriage
A definition of marriage under Australian law

You do not need to memorise this. Your celebrant leads it.

Step 9, enjoy the day, then sign correctly

On the wedding day, you will sign three certificates with:
You and your spouse
Your celebrant
Your two witnesses

Your celebrant gives you a ceremonial certificate on the day.

After that, your celebrant submits the marriage paperwork to the state registry within the required timeframe.

Common mistakes that delay weddings

Here are the big ones I see.

Leaving the NOIM too late
If you are inside a month, speak to your celebrant immediately, because special approval may be possible in limited circumstances.

Using a passport that does not show place of birth
Some passports show nationality without place of birth. That can slow things down.

Forgetting to bring divorce documents
If you have been married before, get your divorce certificate early.

Not matching names across documents
If your divorce certificate shows a different name to your birth certificate or passport, you may need extra supporting documents.

Assuming the ceremonial certificate is the official certificate
In many cases you will still need the official certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages for a name change and other admin.

After the ceremony, getting your official marriage certificate in South Australia

If you need your official marriage certificate, apply through South Australia Births, Deaths and Marriages.

This page explains processing times and the fast track option:
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/births-deaths-and-marriages/certificates/marriage-or-relationship

It also states you can fast track by paying a priority fee, and priority service processing can be processed within 1 business day, excluding delivery time.

For current estimated processing times, check the CBS site:
https://cbs.sa.gov.au/sections/BDM/estimated-processing-times

If you are marrying at the registry office in Adelaide

The registry office rules are more specific, so it is smart to read them before you book.

The SA Government registry office page states:
Ceremonies are limited to 30 people total, including children and photographers
Ceremonies run Monday to Friday at set times
You must arrive at least 20 minutes early
If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, the ceremony can be cancelled
You must bring two witnesses, and the registry office does not supply them
If you need an interpreter, you must arrange a NAATI accredited interpreter, and the registry office does not supply interpreters

Official registry office page:
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/births-deaths-and-marriages/marriages-and-relationships/getting-married-in-the-registry-office