Legal Marriage Requirements in South Australia

This page is a plain-English summary of the main legal rules for getting married in Adelaide. It is guided by the Marriage Act 1961, the Marriage Regulations 2017, and the Attorney-General’s guidance for celebrants.

Basic eligibility

To marry in Australia, you must usually be able to show that:

• you are 18 or older
• you are not already married
• you are not marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, or sister
• you understand the nature of marriage
• you are freely consenting to the marriage

In rare cases, one person aged 16 or 17 can marry with a court order and the required consent.

Notice of Intended Marriage

Before the marriage, you must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage.

The basic timing rule is:

• at least one month before the marriage
• no more than 18 months before the marriage

The notice period starts when the completed NOIM is given to the celebrant.

Identity and supporting documents

You will usually need:

• a birth certificate or current passport
• photo ID
• divorce evidence if previously married and divorced
• a death certificate if widowed
• name-change evidence if your legal name changed

Our ID guide explains this in more detail.

If documents are not in English

If any important document is not in English, you will usually need a translation.

If either party needs help understanding spoken English for the process, an interpreter may also be needed.

Read translation and interpreter information.

What must happen before the marriage

Before we can solemnise the marriage:

• the paperwork must be in order
• we must be satisfied about identity and legal capacity
• we must physically meet each party separately in person

That separate in-person meeting requirement now sits directly in the Marriage Act.

What must happen at the marriage

For the marriage itself:

• both parties must be physically present
• the celebrant must be physically present
• two adult witnesses must be physically present
• the legal words must be said
• the certificates must be signed

The ceremony cannot be done online.

If you need less than one month

That requires a shortening of time approved by a prescribed authority. It is limited to specific categories under the Regulations.

After the marriage

After the marriage:

• we lodge the paperwork in South Australia
• you receive a ceremonial certificate on the day
• the official certificate is available later from Consumer and Business Services once the marriage is registered

Best next step

• click Get Married
• complete the form through NOIM Easy
• contact us if something about your situation is unusual