Camille Davey Celebrant

No! The Marriage Certificate presented on your wedding day is merely proof that your marriage took place and is known as a Couples Certificate. The reverse side of the Marriage Certificate advises of this situation.

What you will need for a change of name purposes is the registered Marriage Certificate issued from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). BDM, however, charge a small fee which normally is over and above the fee you pay to your Marriage Celebrant. However, I would be happy to facilitate your application to BDM if you wish, by submitting your application (and payment for same) at the same time as I lodge the other marriage documents.

Additionally, you should also be aware that you will need the BDM registered version of your Marriage Certificate to change your name on your passport and on your driver's license.

Also, Professional Registration Boards (e.g. Medical, Nursing) and some employers will only accept the BDM version for a change of name purposes. Please check with your employer as to their requirements.

If you are not changing your name, you are not obligated to obtain the BDM registered Marriage Certificate, this then becomes a matter of choice for the yourselves.

Your family and friends may participate in your marriage ceremony in a number of ways. However, their participation does not extend to the legal requirements which can only be fulfilled by your Marriage Celebrant and which are set out in the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants and in the relevant legislative requirements. The legal requirements include your Marriage Celebrant:

• taking a public role in your ceremony
• identifying him/herself at your ceremony as the celebrant authorised to solemnise your marriage
• being responsible for ensuring the validity of your marriage according to law
• insofar as saying the mandatory words contained in the Marriage Act 1961
• being able to hear clearly and see you exchange your vows in the manner prescribed in the Marriage Act 1961
• being available to intervene (and exercise the responsibility to intervene) if events demonstrate such a need within your ceremony
• being a part of the ceremonial group or in close proximity to it
• signing the papers as required by the Marriage Act 1961

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and should you wish to obtain more detailed information on the full extent of the legal requirements, I can advise you further.

All witnesses who are signing documentation must be over 18 years of age, regardless of whether they are related to you or not.

Under the Code of Practice for Celebrants, I am obliged, if requested by you, to conduct a rehearsal at a mutually agreed time, date and place. However, please remember that in this case, I am entitled to charge an additional fee for this service: a fee which you will fined outlined in my "Statement of Fees" and discussed with you at our first meeting.

In many cases, having a simple run-through of certain aspects of your ceremony with me , as opposed to a rehearsal, at my home or office may not necessarily attract an additional fee. Again, this can be discussed at your first meeting.