How to order your official marriage certificate
The certificate you sign and receive during your ceremony is not the certificate used to change your name.
To update your passport, driver’s licence, bank accounts and other records, you need the official marriage certificate issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages, commonly known as BDM.
The official marriage certificate is the only proof you need to get started changing your name after marriage.
What certificate do you receive on your wedding day?
The certificate signed during your ceremony is your ceremonial marriage certificate.
It is a lovely record of the day, but it cannot be used to:
- change your name
- apply for a passport in your married name
- update your driver’s licence
- prove your marriage to banks or government agencies
Your celebrant must submit your marriage paperwork to Births, Deaths and Marriages within 14 days of the wedding. Once the marriage has been registered, BDM can issue the official marriage certificate.
What is a commemorative marriage certificate?
Some registries offer decorative or commemorative marriage certificates.
Like the ceremonial certificate, a commemorative certificate is designed as a keepsake. It cannot be used as proof of your marriage or to change your name.
Some certificate packages include both a commemorative certificate and an official marriage certificate. Check exactly what is included before ordering.
Will your celebrant order the official certificate?
Many celebrants offer to order the official marriage certificate for you. Some include the certificate fee in their package, while others charge it separately.
Ask your celebrant:
- Is the official BDM marriage certificate included?
- Have you ordered it on our behalf?
- Is there an additional certificate or postage fee?
- Which address will it be sent to?
- When should we expect it to arrive?
Do not assume the certificate has been ordered. The official certificate is not automatically sent to every married couple.
How do you order the certificate yourself?
If your celebrant has not ordered it, apply directly through Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state or territory where the wedding took place.
This is based on where you were married, not where you live.
For example, if you live in Queensland but were married in New South Wales, order your certificate from NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Most registries accept online applications. You will generally need to:
- Complete the marriage certificate application.
- Provide the required identification.
- Pay the certificate and delivery fees.
- Wait for the marriage to be registered and the certificate issued.
Easy Name Change provides the application links, available forms, current fees and identification requirements for every Australian state and territory. Select the marriage certificate application for your jurisdiction when building your personalised kit.
How long does a marriage certificate take to arrive?
There is no single Australia-wide processing time. Timeframes vary between registries and can change during busy wedding seasons.
The overall wait includes:
- up to 14 days for your celebrant to submit the marriage documents
- time for BDM to register the marriage
- certificate processing
- postage or delivery
Many registries offer priority processing or express delivery for an additional fee. Check the current processing times on the BDM website for the state or territory where you married.
Delays can happen if:
- the celebrant has not submitted the paperwork
- information is missing or incorrect
- you applied before the marriage was registered
- the registry is experiencing high demand
- delivery takes longer than expected
If your certificate is taking longer than expected, check with your celebrant that the marriage paperwork was submitted before contacting BDM.
Can you start changing your name without the official certificate?
You can start planning and preparing your paperwork, but you need the official marriage certificate before sending any notifications.
While you are waiting, you can:
- decide exactly how your married name will appear
- create your list of organisations to notify
- prepare your forms, letters and emails
- check which organisations need copies or certified copies
- plan any in-person appointments
Easy Name Change customers have an average of 27 organisations to update. Build your personalised kit while you wait, then your paperwork will be ready to send once the certificate arrives.
Does every organisation need the original certificate?
No. Each organisation has its own proof requirements.
You may be asked to:
- show the original certificate in person
- upload a scan or photograph
- email a digital copy
- post a photocopy
- provide a certified copy
Driver licensing authorities and branch-based banks usually need to sight the original certificate in person. Other organisations may accept a photocopy, certified copy or digital copy.
Easy Name Change tells you which proof documents each selected organisation needs and how to provide them.
Read our complete guide to the documents needed to change your name after marriage.
Where can you get certified copies?
A certified copy is a photocopy that an authorised witness has compared with the original and endorsed as a true copy.
Depending on the organisation and where you live, an authorised witness may include:
- a Justice of the Peace
- a lawyer
- a police officer
- a pharmacist
- a doctor
- another authorised professional
Certification rules can vary between organisations, particularly financial institutions and professional registration bodies. Check the organisation’s requirements before having copies certified.
Certified Kit customers can send their signed notifications and original proof documents to Easy Name Change using the registered mail envelope provided. We check the paperwork, prepare the certified copies required by each organisation and securely return the original certificate by registered mail. We also provide scanned certified copies for notifications that can be submitted electronically.
What if your official marriage certificate has an error?
Check every detail as soon as the certificate arrives.
If a name, date or other detail is incorrect, contact the BDM registry that issued it. You may need to provide supporting documents before the registry can correct and replace the certificate.
Fix any errors before using the certificate to update your identification and accounts. Otherwise, the incorrect information may be copied onto your new records.
Ready to change your name?
Once your official marriage certificate arrives, Easy Name Change can prepare the forms, letters, emails and instructions needed to update your name with the organisations you select.
Simply review your paperwork, attach the required proof and send each notification.
