What Paperwork is Signed During the Ceremony?
Once you’ve exchanged vows and sealed the deal with a kiss, there’s one more crucial step—signing the marriage paperwork. This is the official part that makes your marriage legal. While your guests might be eager to start celebrating, this moment is just as important!
When Does the Signing Happen?
The signing happens during the ceremony, usually right after the vows and first kiss. This is before the final announcement, and you walk down the aisle as a married couple. Don’t worry, your guests won’t mind the brief pause—it’s all part of the process!
If the weather isn’t ideal—too hot, rainy, or windy—we can wrap up the ceremony and move to a more comfortable spot for the signing. It’s important that we take the time to get this right.
What Are We Signing?
During your wedding ceremony, you will sign two key documents:
The Official Certificate of Marriage: This formal document is the one that gets sent to the WA Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM) to legally register your marriage.
The Form 15 Certificate of Marriage: This is the pretty certificate that you get to take home as a keepsake. While it’s beautiful, it can’t be used for legal purposes like changing your name—that’s what the official certificate from the BDM is for!
The Red Book Tradition
Years ago, celebrants used to record marriages in a Red Book—known as the Marriage Register. Although it’s no longer a legal requirement, I like to bring mine along to store the signed certificates after the ceremony. It’s a little nostalgic, and it adds a special touch to your wedding day!
Legal Requirements for Signing
According to the Marriage Act 1961, there are a few key legal requirements for signing your paperwork on the day:
Who Signs: Both of you (bride and groom or partners), your two witnesses, and I (your celebrant) must sign the documents.
Number of Signatures: Everyone will sign the Official Certificate of Marriage and the Form 15 Certificate. In total, there are 15 signatures required across both documents.
Order of Signing: Typically, the couple signs first, followed by the witnesses, and then I’ll sign last. Don’t stress—if you’re wearing a big dress, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable, even if that means sitting down to sign!
Choosing Your Witnesses
You’ll need two witnesses to sign the marriage documents. They can be friends, family, or anyone you trust, but there are a few requirements:
Over 18 years of age: Witnesses must be legal adults.
Able to hear and understand the ceremony: Witnesses need to follow along to verify that the marriage took place.
Stay sober: Witnesses should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as they are legally verifying your marriage.
Provide their full legal name: I’ll need their full legal names (not nicknames) for the paperwork, so be sure to gather that info ahead of time.
What If We Make a Mistake?
Mistakes happen! If there’s a small error on the Official Certificate of Marriage—like a witness name being spelled wrong—we’ll cross it out and both initial the correction. However, if there’s an error on the Form 15 Certificate—like a change of location or other major details—I’ll destroy the incorrect certificate and replace it with a new one.
I keep a log of all my Form 15 certificates, even the ones the printer eats! So don’t worry—your wedding will be fully documented and handled with care.
Don’t Lose Your Form 15 Certificate!
The Form 15 Certificate is the pretty one you take home as a keepsake, and it’s irreplaceable, so keep it safe! I like to hand it to a trusted person after the ceremony—maybe the best man or maid of honour—or place it somewhere secure like the wishing well, so it doesn’t get lost in the celebration. I also love capturing a photo of you holding the certificate—it’s a special moment worth remembering!
Wrapping Up
Once all the paperwork is signed, I’ll submit everything to the BDM within 14 days to officially register your marriage. After that, you can apply for your Official Marriage Certificate for legal purposes. If you’re ever unsure about any part of the process, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s make your wedding day stress-free and get the paperwork in order so you can focus on enjoying your big day! Contact me anytime if you have questions or need assistance.
Call That Celebrant © 2024. Based on the Marriage Act 1961. Updated: Oct 2024.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this guide. Please consult with your state’s BDM or contact me for the most up-to-date information.
