Marriage Services

The ICPA provides the services to perform a Marriage Ceremony for Muslims according to both Islamic practice of marriage principles and Australian legal requirements. When a couple has already decided to marry, they can arrange to have their marriage performed at the ICPA offices, or a location of their choice in consultation with the Officiate who is authorised as a Marriage Celebrant by the Federal Attorney General’s department. For those who seek an official marriage ceremony, the following steps outline the procedure according to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages:

Note: Bookings must be made at least one month prior to the marriage date.

1. NOIM – Notice of Intended Marriage

a. Once you decide to marry, you are required to give a marriage celebrant at least one month (not more than 18 months’ notice) of an intended date of marriage.

b. You need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form which is available at the ICPA office or you can download at: http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/OurForms.htm

2. Marriageable Age

a. From 1 August 1991, the marriageable age is 18 years. If a person, not yet 18, wishes to marry prior to their 18th birthday, only a court empowered to give a ‘Section 12’ order can give authority for this marriage to be solemnised.

b. A NOIM may be lodged prior to the 18th birthday, as long as the marriage occurs after the birthday.

3. Evidence of Age

Both the bride and groom are required to provide the marriage celebrant with proof of age.

a. If born in Australia, a full Australian Birth Certificate must be provided.

b. If born overseas, a foreign birth certificate or a valid overseas passport will be accepted. If these are in another language, they must be officially translated into English.

4. Previous Marriages

If either party has been previously married, you must provide the marriage celebrant with evidence of the termination with either a Divorce Certificate (if divorced) or a full Death Certificate (if widowed). Certificates in a foreign language must be translated into English by an authorized interpreter/translator service.

5. Registering your Marriage

Australian citizens marrying overseas cannot have their marriage registered in NSW.

To obtain evidence of your overseas marriage, make sure you obtain a Marriage Certificate or any other supporting documentation before you leave that country.

6. Identification

Please provide at least three (3) forms of identification, one of each from Categories 1, 2 and 3. If you are unable to provide identification from Categories 1 and 2, you must still provide at least three (3) forms of identification. At least two (2) of these must be from Category 3. [See category lists below.]

All documents must be current. It is acceptable to submit expired foreign passports.

A Qualified Witness must certify photocopies as true copies of the original (e.g. Justice of the Peace – The ICPA is able to provide this service).