Applying for a Marriage Certificate in Queensland

After your marriage ceremony, there are two certificate questions couples usually ask:

1. what certificate do we get on the day?
2. how do we get the official certificate for name changes and legal use?

What You Get on the Day

Your celebrant gives you a ceremonial certificate on the day of the marriage.

That certificate is meaningful, but it is not the same as the official state-issued marriage certificate.

The Official Certificate

For legal purposes, you normally need the official marriage certificate issued by the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

That is the certificate most organisations ask for when dealing with:

• name changes
• passports
• banks
• government records
• visa or legal matters

How the Process Works

• the marriage happens
• the celebrant lodges the paperwork
• the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages registers the marriage
• you apply and pay for the official certificate

When Can You Apply?

Queensland says celebrants have 14 days to lodge the marriage and the registry says registration can take up to 5 business days after lodgement.

Related Guides

• Detailed Queensland certificate guide
• Change your name
• Apostille and legalisation