As experienced and dedicated Brisbane Celebrants, we love assisting our overseas based couples with eloping in Brisbane. Whether you are planning a small intimate elopement or a more luxurious small wedding surrounded by loved ones, we can guide you through the process of your Brisbane elopement.

We understand that often one of the couple, are based overseas and the other is based in Australia and sometimes both of the couple are based overseas and planning to arrive in Australia just days before their wedding will take place. Either way, the process to get married in Australia is really straight forward, and with Brisbane being such a popular elopement destination, with many stunning elopement locations to choose from, we have assisted many overseas based couples with getting married in Brisbane, so we can happily and confidently guide you through the process.

Here we outline the process for eloping in Brisbane from overseas.

First and foremost, it’s important to note:

In Australia, a marriage can only take place if the official marriage form known as the NOIM form (Notice of Intended Marriage) is received by us, the Celebrant no less than 1 calendar month before the date of your marriage.

Overseas based couples can still get married in Australia, even if you are only arriving in Australia a day or two before your marriage will be taking place, as the pre-marriage paperwork process can be completed online, your signatures witnessed by an authorised person in the country you are based in (usually a Consular Officer at the Australian Consulate Officer) with your scanned signed paperwork and ID emailed to us.

QUESTION 1: Does one or both of us need to be a resident or citizen of Australia to get married in Australia?

There are no requirements to be an Australia resident or citizen to get married in Australia, so anyone whether living here temporarily, permanently, or simply visiting on a holiday to beautiful Brisbane can get married.

Question 2: What is the NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE Form (NOIM Form) and it’s process?

Your signed and witnessed NOIM form must be received by us, your Celebrant no less than 1 month before the date of your marriage.

For your convenience, we use an online program, which allows our couples to complete their details via an online form. All details then get pre-populated in to the NOIM form, allowing us to check everything has been entered correctly, before we return this to you as a PDF document to print.

Once printed, the NOIM form must be signed by the marrying persons, in the presence of an authorised person as listed below in the country you are based in.

The Attorney General advises that you would need one of the following to witness you signing the NOIM form:
A Notice of Intended Marriage form signed outside Australia must be signed in the presence of either:
– an Australian Diplomatic Officer;
– an Australian Consular Officer;
– a notary public;
– an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under para 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955;
– an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under para 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.

Question 3: I am based in Brisbane, and my fiancé lives overseas, how do we both sign the NOIM form? & can you accept the NOIM form with my signature only?

If one of you is not reasonably able to have their signature witnessed by one of the above, (e.g. because they are based overseas) the Celebrant is permitted to accept the NOIM form with just one witnessed signature, with the second signature on the official NOIM form, usually witnessed by the Celebrant on arrival in the country.

So yes, we can accept the form with the Brisbane based partners signature, however the second person must sign the NOIM form in our presence (with one of us, your Celebrant as your witness) before your marriage can take place.

Both of your ID will also need to be sighted, passports are preferred and these can be emailed to us, to sight.

So if one of the marrying persons is based in Australia, we can simply meet with them, for them to lodge the NOIM form with us, and the overseas based person’s signature to follow on their arrival in Australia.

The signed and witnessed NOIM form can be accepted by the Celebrant electronically.

The date your Celebrant receives the signed and witnessed NOIM form, either electronically or by mail, is the date your NOIM form is officially lodged with us.

You are then able to marry any time from 1 month after the date that your NOIM form was received by us.

Contact us now and let’s start planning your Brisbane elopement.

Question 4: Am I required to speak English to get married in Australia?

As your Celebrant, it is a requirement that we are satisfied that both persons planning to marry, are completely aware that they are getting married, and that they understand the marriage paperwork. Therefore, they must be able to speak and understand English, or engage a translator to attend the paperwork signing and ceremony.

Witnesses are not required to be Australian citizens or residents, however they are required to speak and understand English. If your witness doesn’t speak English, a translator is required.

We are more than happy to provide this letter for visa applications as a complimentary service, as soon as the NOIM form and booking fee or full payment have been received.

Before your marriage takes place, you will be asked to sign a form called ‘The Declaration’ declaring that to the best of your knowledge, there is no reason that you can’t legally marry one another. We will have this form printed and pre-completed with all your details ready for you to sign.

You will also be given the option to complete your marriage certificate application form, which we can lodge at BDM QLD (the department that officially registers your marriage), on your behalf, along with your marriage documents, so they can send you your official registry issued marriage certificate. This can be posted to an overseas address if you wish.

Enjoy your wedding Day!

We hope you found our guide to eloping in Brisbane from overseas, informative and either of us would love to be the Celebrant for your special day.

Brisbane elopement Celebrants Cara and Jamie would love to assist you in planning your Brisbane wedding from overseas. Contact us now to get the ball the rolling!

Images of our gorgeous couple kindly provided by Jess Took This via Olive Rose Weddings.