Form 15 Certificates are legal docs!

I recently saw a claim on social media that the certificate presented to couples at the end of their wedding ceremonies (which was called a "ceremonial certificate" in this claim) "wasn't legal".

Well, I can certainly debunk that claim, which I think was just a case of poor English expression.

The certificate in question (known as a "Form 15") definitely is a legal document issued by the Commonwealth (Federal) Government. It is not a "ceremonial certificate"; authorised marriage celebrants must present couples with this certificate after they marry. It is first signed by the couple, two official witnesses, and the solemnising celebrant.

Only one certificate can be provided and if something happens to that certificate after it is given to couples, it is not possible for the celebrant to replace it.

On the reverse side of the Form 15 certificate, there is a statement indicating the document is conclusive evidence that the marriage has been solemnised in accordance with the Marriage Act 1961, but not conclusive evidence of the identities of the parties to the marriage named on the certificate.

​In other words: Yes, the Form 15 is a legal document, but you may not be able to do much with it other than hang it on your wall.

​For people wanting to change surnames after marrying, the Form 15 is not accepted by State or Federal Government departments, which will ask to see a copy of the "registered marriage certificate." This is a document produced by the registering authority in the state or territory where the marriage took place within Australia. It will look rather like a birth certificate but contains all of the information from the official Certificate of Marriage that couples also sign at the wedding. This is the raft of information the Federal Government says is "evidence of identity".

So, if you need to get a new Driver's Licence or Passport, you'll need to supply the registered marriage certificate. Your bank might accept the Form 15 as evidence you've married, but may ask for the registered certificate as well. 

At Just Wed, we supply a Form 15 certificate to couples at their weddings and we also order a registered marriage certificate for them as part of our services. Every package we offer has this as standard inclusions.

Do you have a question about marriage certificates? Happy to help you navigate this space, obligation-free. 

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