Overseas Marriages and Australia

Most marriages legally performed overseas are recognised in Australia if they were valid in that country and would also be recognised under Australian law.

The main things to know

• you do not register an overseas marriage in Australia
• the overseas marriage certificate is usually the proof of marriage
• if the certificate is not in English, you may need an official translation

What Australia does not do

According to current Attorney-General guidance:

• overseas marriages cannot be performed by an Australian-authorised marriage celebrant
• overseas marriages cannot be registered in Australia

If you need to prove the marriage here

You may need:

• the original overseas marriage certificate
• an official translation, if needed
• extra evidence depending on the organisation asking for it

If you want to change your name in Australia using an overseas marriage certificate, check the current rules of the agency you are dealing with.