New process for QLD Marriage Certificate applications
With Celebrants Cara & Jamie of Brisbane City Celebrants
In order for a couple to prove their marriage or for the bride to take her grooms last name through marriage, a marriage certificate issued by BDM (Births, Deaths and Marriages) is required.
The presentation certificate that you receive on your wedding day isn’t considered sufficient evidence for either of these purposes.
As a complimentary service and to expedite this process, Brisbane City Celebrants have offered our clients the option of providing us with their completed application for their registry issued marriage certificate to lodge with BDM with their official marriage documents.
However, following a change of process for QLD Marriage certificate applications, QLD BDM are no longer allowing Marriage Celebrants to submit this form on behalf of our couples, so we have outlined the new process here.
Either the bride or groom now needs to apply for their ‘registry issued marriage certificate’ directly.
If you haven’t already completed the marriage certificate application form, you can download the PDF form here and complete and print it, or complete it online here then print it.
For those couples that have already completed the application form and have provided it to us, we will return your completed form to you by including this in the envelope with your official marriage certificate on the day.
You will need to prepare the following which you now need to submit with your application:
One item from each of the following lists:
For example;
– Your passport or Drivers License
– Your Medicare card or bank card with your full name
– Proof of address, e.g. recent utility account, rent statement or rates notice
Proof of ID Lists for QLD Marriage Certificate Application. Source: BDM QLD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.What do I do with my completed application and accompanying documents?
Option 1. Send your application form and JP witnessed copies of the above listed 3 forms of ID by post (registered post recommended) to:
QLD Marriage Registry
Births Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
City East
BRISBANE
QLD 4002
Option 2. Present in person at BDM QLD with your application form and original documents for a Client Services Officer to sight (no JP witnessing of documents is required) to submit your application.
Address of BDM QLD is 110 George Street, Brisbane
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Note: Please allow a minimum of 4 weeks for BDM QLD to process your marriage documents and register your marriage before arriving in person.
Option 3. Present in person at a QLD Courthouse (except the Brisbane City George Street court) and follow the process outlined in option 2.
A Client Services Officer at the courthouse can sight your original 3 forms of ID (no JP witnessing of documents is required) and you can submit your completed application form.
Brisbane courthouse locations include:
Holland Park, Richlands, Wynnum, Sandgate, Strathpine, Petrie, Cleveland and Redcliffe plus many more throughout QLD.
For a list of Brisbane courthouse locations click here.
Q2. Can anyone other than a JP witness the photo copies of my ID?
The following persons are considered to be qualified witnesses and are able to certify photocopies of documents as being “a correct copy of the document”:
- Justice of the Peace
- Commissioner for Declarations
- Barrister/Solicitor
- Notary Public
Q3. Where do I direct questions about my application to?
All questions should be directed to BDM QLD who oversee the whole process. They can be contacted:
Online
Email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au
By phone
Call Within Australia: 13 QGOV (13 74 68) ( tel:137468 )
International callers: +61 7 3405 0985 ( tel:61734050985 ) (+10 hours UTC)
(Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm).
For more information including links to forms and and fees please head to BDM QLD Applying for a marriage certificate.
Once you have received your official ‘registry issued’ marriage certificate from BDM, you can proceed to update your name with all relevant departments.
We have created a Marriage Change of Name Checklist to assist you with ensuring you’ve covered all bases.
We hope this information was useful and we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for your future together as husband and wife.
Brisbane City Celebrants