How to Elope in Byron Bay – Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Married in Australia

Updated for 2026

Byron Bay has become one of Australia’s most popular destinations for elopements and intimate weddings. Couples travel from all over Australia — and from overseas! To exchange vows on our beaches, in the hinterland, or at private venues surrounded by rainforest and ocean views.

One of the first things couples say when they contact me is:

“We’ve never done this before… we don’t really know what’s involved.”

And of course you haven’t — most people only get married once!

The good news is that the legal process to get married in Australia is actually very straightforward, whether you’re planning a large wedding or a simple Byron Bay elopement.

As an authorised marriage celebrant, part of my role is guiding couples through the process step-by-step so everything is easy and stress-free.

Here’s exactly what’s required.

Step One

Choose an Authorised Marriage Celebrant

• You could simply Google names of Civil or Religious Celebrants in your area and find one that you like. I would always recommend double checking that they are in fact listed on the Attorney General’s website as an Authorised Celebrant.

Step Two

Lodge Your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

To legally marry in Australia, couples must complete a form called the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM).

• This is mainly to ensure that each party to the marriage has time to consider and understand the commitment they are going to enter. Kind of like a cooling-off period!
• The soonest the NOIM can be lodged is 18 calendar months prior to the ceremony, and the latest it can be lodged is one calendar month prior to the ceremony. A Prescribed Authority may approve a shorter notice time in some limited circumstances. The NOIM is then lodged with your chosen celebrant. The form can be supplied by your celebrant or downloaded from the Attorney General’s website: www.ag.gov.au

Step Three

Provide Identification Documents

• Documents you will need in order to fill out the NOIM: you will need to give your celebrant evidence of date and place of birth, identity, and the end of any previous marriages for each party. Passports are the easiest option. Original birth certificates PLUS photo ID can also be used.  Your celebrant may also ask you to complete a statutory declaration to support your evidence.
• If either one of you has been married previously, you must provide your celebrant with evidence of the termination of the last marriage.

Step Four

Sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage

• The Statutory Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage form (aka the DONLIM), must also be signed by the couple. This states that neither knows of any impediment to being married. This form is supplied by your celebrant and must be filled out as close to the ceremony as is practicable and in the physical presence of your celebrant (so, not over a video call).

Step Five

Have Your Ceremony with Two Witnesses

Even for a Byron Bay elopement, Australian law requires two witnesses over the age of 18.

• You must have 2 designated witnesses to your marriage, both of whom must be over the age of 18, and preferably known to the couple. These witnesses will have to sign the registry forms at the end of the ceremony along with you and the celebrant. The witness’ job is to literally witness you saying your legal vow sentence to each other, be able to hear and understand that, and sign to that effect.
• During a marriage ceremony, there are certain words that must be spoken in order for the marriage to be recognised legally. The legal Monitum spoken by the celebrant must be:

“I, (insert name of celebrant), am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”

• Additionally, the couple must each say:

“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I (full name), take you, (full name) to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/partner/spouse.”

According to the Marriage Act 1961, there are slight variations that may be made to this wording which include:

‘Call upon’ may be changed to ‘ask’

‘Persons’ may be changed to ‘people’

‘You’ may be changed to ‘Thee’

‘Husband’ or ‘wife’ may be changed to ‘spouse’

‘Persons here present’ may be changed to ‘everyone here’ or ‘everybody here’ or ‘everyone present here’ or ‘everybody present here’, or
the couple may leave out either ‘lawful’ or ‘wedded’, but not both.

Step Six

Sign the Marriage Certificates

• The signing of the register after you have been declared husband and wife includes 3 forms that must be signed by the bride, groom, the 2 witnesses, and the celebrant. One is the marriage certificate that your celebrant will lodge with Births Deaths and Marriages in the State you are married in. One is the commemorative marriage certificate that you keep for yourselves. The other is a copy of the marriage certificate which legally must remain with the celebrant.
• If one of you is planning to change your name, or you want/need proof of your marriage for other reasons, you must apply for an official BDM marriage certificate. Currently in NSW these cost $68. In NSW, your celebrant can order one for you and have it delivered to your home address.
• The celebrant must lodge your paperwork within 14 days of your ceremony.

Contact me for any questions/my availability on heidi@byronbaycelebrant.com.au or ph. 0404047313 and I will be happy to help!

Can International Couples Elope in Byron Bay?

 

Many couples travel from overseas to elope in Byron Bay- see Asal and Shayan in the above photo!

The good news is that you do not need to be an Australian citizen or resident to get married in Australia.

As long as you:

• lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage.
• provide identification documents.
• have two witnesses.
• marry in front of an authorised celebrant.

Your marriage will be legally recognised. See here for further information

Can you elope in Byron Bay with just a celebrant?

Yes. Many couples choose to elope in Byron Bay with just a celebrant, photographer and two witnesses. Australian law only requires a celebrant and two witnesses for a legal marriage ceremony.

FAQs

Q1: How long does it take to get legally married in Australia?
A: The legal waiting period is one month after lodging the Notice of Intended Marriage. However, many couples planning a Byron Bay destination wedding submit their paperwork several months in advance.

Q2: What documents do you need to get married in Australia?
A: You’ll need original ID documents such as a passport or birth certificate, and photo ID. If you’ve been previously married, you’ll need divorce or death certificates.

Q3: Can international couples get married in Australia?
A: Yes, you don’t need to be an Australian citizen or resident. As long as you follow the legal process and give one month’s notice, you can marry here.

Q4: Can we get legally married without a big wedding?
A: Absolutely! Many couples opt for small ceremonies, elopements or legals-only weddings with just a few witnesses.

Q5: What’s a NOIM and when should we lodge it?
A: The Notice of Intended Marriage is a legal form that you must with your celebrant at least 1 month before the wedding. It’s valid for 18 months.