How to Get Married in Australia as an LGBTQ+ Foreigner (2026 Complete Guide)

Australia is one of the most welcoming places in the world for LGBTQ⁺ couples to get married. Since the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017, couples from all over the world have chosen Australia as their wedding destination.

If you’re a foreign couple planning to marry here, the process is surprisingly straightforward – but there are a few legal steps you need to get right.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know.

Yes. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since December 2017, when the Marriage Act 1961 was amended to include marriage equality.

If you choose to get married in Australia,

• LGBTQ⁺ couples have exactly the same rights as heterosexual couples
• your marriage is legally recognised across Australia
• whether your marriage is or is not recognised in your home country depends on the laws operating in your home country

Yes – you do not need to be an Australian citizen or resident.

You can:

• Get married on a tourist visa
• Get married while visiting Australia short-term
• Plan a destination wedding

There is no residency requirement

To legally marry in Australia, you must:

1. Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

• this must be submitted to (ie lodged with) the celebrant at least 1 month before the wedding
• the NOIM is valid for up to 18 months
• it can be signed and witnessed overseas and then lodged with the Australian celebrant by email

2. Provide identity documents

Typically:

• passport (for both partners) – the passport can be from any country
• if you don’t have a passport, then provide your birth certificate (if available) and your driver’s licence
• if you’ve been married previously, you need to provide evidence that the previous marriage has terminated, either by divorce, death or nullity. Therefore, you need to provide a divorce certificate, a death certificate or a court-based certificate of nullity.

3. Use an authorised celebrant
You must be married by a registered Australian celebrant (like me 👋)

4. Have two witnesses

• over the age of 18 years
• these can be friends or family members or complete strangers. I can provide two witnesses for you if you need me to – for example, if you don’t know anyone in Australia who could be your witnesses.

The short answer: it can look like and be like anything you want it to be.

There’s no “gay wedding template”.

Your ceremony can be:

• romantic and traditional
• fun and non-traditional
• deeply personal and story-driven.

As a queer celebrant, I specialise in:

• using inclusive language
• ceremony structures that don’t rely on old-fashioned gendered boundaries and roles
• customised vows and storytelling

This depends on your home country.

• If you’re from a country that has marriage equality: ✅ Yes
• If you’re from a country that doesn’t yet have marriage equality: ❌ your home country may not recognise your marriage legally

👉 Always check with a migration lawyer if this matters for visas or legal rights.

Yes – many of my couples do exactly this.

Important notes:

• getting married in Australia does not automatically grant residency
• you may still need to apply for a partner visa separately

• it’s a simple process to get married in Australia, compared with many other countries
• it’s a safe and inclusive environment
• Australia has legally recognised marriage equality
• there are many stunning wedding locations (Melbourne, Daylesford, Yarra Valley)
• Australia has some experienced LGBTQ⁺ celebrants, who won’t judge or assume.

Planning a wedding from overseas can feel overwhelming – but that’s where I come in.

I help couples:

• navigate the legal requirements, to ensure their marriage gets registered smoothly
• create meaningful, inclusive ceremonies
• plan weddings that reflect who they truly are

If you’re planning a wedding in Melbourne or Victoria, I’d love to chat.

Q. Do we need to live in Australia to get married?

No — there is no residency requirement.

Q. Can we submit the NOIM from overseas?

Yes, it can be witnessed outside Australia and then emailed to your celebrant in Australia.

Q. How long does the process take?

Minimum 1 month; ideally, allow 2–3 months.