Who Can Get Married in South Australia?

The rules about who can marry are national. They come from Australian law, not a separate South Australian marriage law.

You can usually marry if

• you are legally free to marry
• you are not in a prohibited family relationship
• you understand what marriage is
• you freely agree to the marriage
• you meet the age rules

Age rules

Usually both people are 18 or older.

In rare cases, one person aged 16 or 17 can marry if there is:

• a court order authorising the marriage, and
• the required consent

Someone under 16 cannot legally marry in Australia.

You do not need to be

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident
• a South Australian resident

Overseas couples, visitors, students, and temporary visa holders can marry here if they meet the legal rules.

You cannot marry if

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

If you were previously married

That earlier marriage must have legally ended before the new marriage can happen.

Read getting married after divorce if that applies to you.

Best next step

• click Get Married
• start your NOIM with NOIM Easy
• read requirements if you want the full checklist