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In Australia, any person, who is over the age of 18 years and currently unmarried, can legally get married. But a person, who is below the age of 18, can get married only if the other person is above 18 years. At instances where both the individuals are below 18, they must obtain a court order from a judge or magistrate allowing the marriage and also a written consent letter from the parents are a must.
Apart from this to get married in any Australian state or territory, you need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form (NOIM). The NOIM must be lodged with the celebrant, minister or registrar who will perform the marriage, at least a month plus one day, and no more than 18 months before the wedding date.
Marriages occurring in WA since 1841 are registered in the Western Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The Marriage Act 1961 requires the authorised celebrant, within 14 days of the date of marriage, to forward the marriage papers to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for registration.
Marriage Certificate
On payment of a fee and subject to eligibility, the Western Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages can provide a certificate. If applying for a certificate in person your original identification documents must be provided. If applying by post, clear photocopied identification documents must be posted with your application. Do not post original documents. The Registry is unable to accept applications by phone, fax, email or online
The Marriage Act in Australia
The Marriage Act does not allow people marrying an ancestor or descendant; or their brother or sister, whether whole blood or half-blood siblings. These restrictions also imply to adoptive relationships even if these have been annulled, cancelled, discharged or cease to be effective for any reason (for example, a subsequent adoption order being made).
This means, for example, that a person cannot marry their parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister. However, (depending of course on the gender of the party) a person may marry their aunt or uncle, niece or nephew or ‘first’ cousin.
Overseas marriages
There is no provision to register an overseas marriage in Australia. An overseas marriage would be generally recognised as a legal marriage if it is similar in nature to a marriage conducted in Australia. For example, if the bride and groom were both over the age of 18 years, not married to another person and not in a prohibited relationship (ie, closely related).
The overseas country's registry authorities will register the marriage and can provide you with a marriage certificate as proof of the marriage. The marriage certificate may require an official translation if not in English.
Source: australia.gov.au
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