The Legal Light Justin Stack Does an overseas wedding count as legally married in Australia? Some do it for the romance, some do it to be with relatives, some do it to escape relatives, some do it for religious reasons, some do it on the cheap. But does a wedding held overseas count as being legally married when the couple returns to Australia? Senior paralegal in family law at Stacks Law Firm Marni Kennedy says generally yes it would, but it must be a wedding that was performed legally in that country, and would have been legal if the wedding had been performed in Australia. "You will not get an Australian marriage certificate, but the marriage will be recognised if you have a marriage certificate from the country where you were married. "There are legal requirements, such as providing documents to the overseas marriage authority to prove you are not already married. Bigamy is a crime in Australia and most other countries," Ms Kennedy said. "Before you head overseas to get married, it would be wise to get what's called a single status certificate from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. "You may also need to produce a divorce certificate to show a previous marriage has ended. The local Australian embassy or consulate could issue you a certificate of No Impediment to Marriage." Ms Kennedy said an overseas wedding will not be recognised as legal in Australia if one of the persons was not old enough to be married under Australian law, or if they were forced to get married, or the parties are too closely related. To get married in Australia you must be at least 18 years old, unless a court approves a marriage where one person is 16 to 18 years old. You must understand what marriage means and freely agree to marry. You need to give a "notice of intended marriage" to an authorised marriage celebrant at least one month before the wedding. The authorised celebrant must be registered. Ministers of religion must be from a recognised denomination. "If you are concerned your overseas marriage will not be recognised in Australia, it would be wise to get legal advice from an expert in family law. There may be steps you can take to convince authorities of the validity of the marriage, or simply get married again in Australia." Ms Kennedy said the Family Court had rejected an application by a man who went overseas to marry a 16-year-old girl, claiming it was permitted in his culture. He argued the marriage should be recognised as legal, as the girl, now aged 17, was pregnant. The judge ruled the law only allows 16-year-olds to marry if they apply to a court before the wedding. STACKS LAW FIRM Madaline Shepherd Licensed Conveyancer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack Does an overseas wedding count as legally married in Australia ? Some do it for the romance , some do it to be with relatives , some do it to escape relatives , some do it for religious reasons , some do it on the cheap . But does a wedding held overseas count as being legally married when the couple returns to Australia ? Senior paralegal in family law at Stacks Law Firm Marni Kennedy says generally yes it would , but it must be a wedding that was performed legally in that country , and would have been legal if the wedding had been performed in Australia . " You will not get an Australian marriage certificate , but the marriage will be recognised if you have a marriage certificate from the country where you were married . " There are legal requirements , such as providing documents to the overseas marriage authority to prove you are not already married . Bigamy is a crime in Australia and most other countries , " Ms Kennedy said . " Before you head overseas to get married , it would be wise to get what's called a single status certificate from the NSW Registry of Births , Deaths and Marriages . " You may also need to produce a divorce certificate to show a previous marriage has ended . The local Australian embassy or consulate could issue you a certificate of No Impediment to Marriage . " Ms Kennedy said an overseas wedding will not be recognised as legal in Australia if one of the persons was not old enough to be married under Australian law , or if they were forced to get married , or the parties are too closely related . To get married in Australia you must be at least 18 years old , unless a court approves a marriage where one person is 16 to 18 years old . You must understand what marriage means and freely agree to marry . You need to give a " notice of intended marriage " to an authorised marriage celebrant at least one month before the wedding . The authorised celebrant must be registered . Ministers of religion must be from a recognised denomination . " If you are concerned your overseas marriage will not be recognised in Australia , it would be wise to get legal advice from an expert in family law . There may be steps you can take to convince authorities of the validity of the marriage , or simply get married again in Australia . " Ms Kennedy said the Family Court had rejected an application by a man who went overseas to marry a 16 - year - old girl , claiming it was permitted in his culture . He argued the marriage should be recognised as legal , as the girl , now aged 17 , was pregnant . The judge ruled the law only allows 16 - year - olds to marry if they apply to a court before the wedding . STACKS LAW FIRM Madaline Shepherd Licensed Conveyancer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life