Introduction

The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages offers a range of affordable wedding ceremony packages. The Registry is based in Pyrmont, Sydney and holds weddings once a month at the Old Wollongong Courthouse and at additional venues on select dates.

You do not need to contact the Registry if you plan to be married by a private celebrant, minister of religion, or registrar at a local court. You can follow the guide for getting married in NSW

To get married by the Registry at least a month before the ceremony you and your partner must:

  • submit your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with the required documents and
  • book your marriage interview with the Registry to be held either:
    • by phone or
    • in-person at the Pyrmont Wedding Registry.

The Notice of Intended Marriage remains valid for up to 18 months.

Eligibility

Minimum age

  • The marriageable age is 18 years. If a person, not yet 18, wishes to marry prior to their 18th birthday, only a court empowered to give a 'Section 12' order can give authority for the marriage to be solemnised.
  • 2 persons aged under 18 years are not permitted to marry each other.
  • A Notice of Intended Marriage may be lodged prior to the 18th birthday, as long as the marriage occurs after the birthday.

Marital status

  • You can lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage while a divorce is pending but cannot be married until you are legally not married to anyone in Australia or any other country.
  • If you have already been legally married in another country and your marriage does not violate Australian law
    • your marriage is automatically recognised in Australia
    • you do not need to register the marriage with the Australian government.

What you need

  • the PDF form 'Notice of Intended Marriage'
  • proof of identity documents:
    • a passport or an official birth certificate for you and your partner, displaying your place of birth or
    • if a passport is not provided, other current photo proof of identity such as a driver licence
  • if either person has been previously married you need to provide proof that the marriage has ended such as a:
    • divorce certificate, if divorced
    • death certificate, if widowed.

Note:

  • Any documents in a language other than English must be officially translated into English by an authorised interpreter/translation service.
  • If either party does not speak English fluently, someone who can interpret must be present at the marriage interview and the marriage ceremony.
  • Originals of your documents must be seen by the celebrant before the marriage can go ahead. Photocopies of documents are not accepted.

How to book a Registry wedding

  1. Check the eligibility requirements.
  2. Download and complete the form Notice of Intended Marriage – PDF
    Note: the form must be completed by both parties on page 3 and signed on page 4 with an authorised witness. For help with completing the Notice of Intended Marriage you can read the guide and watch the video.
  3. Make sure you have the documents required.
  4. Review the information on the Registry website including:
  5. Select the 'Book a marriage interview appointment' button for either:
    • a phone interview or
    • an in-person interview at the Pyrmont Wedding Registry.

What happens next

After you receive your interview confirmation you will need to attend your marriage interview to:

  • lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage
  • book your wedding ceremony and
  • finalise payment. 

Preparing for your marriage interview

If you have booked a phone interview, follow the instructions in the confirmation email sent by the Registry to submit your documents once your interview is booked.

If attending the Registry for an in-person interview, bring the documents with you.

To view the available ceremony spaces check the Registry website for Open Days at the Pyrmont Wedding Registry.

Find out more about what happens on the day of your Registry wedding.

More information

  • After the Notice of Intended of Marriage is lodged you must wait one month before you can be married. A Notice of Intended Marriage is valid for up to 18 months.
  • The Registry lodgement fee is non-refundable.
  • Most ceremony packages include an official certificate of marriage and a commemorative marriage certificate

Contact

To contact the NSW Registry with questions about getting married with the Registry you can email the Marriages Team on bdm-marriages-syd@customerservice.nsw.gov.au

Last updated: 30 June 2025

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