How many witness can you have at a wedding

If requested, an additional two witnesses can be included in the register. The registration office cannot provide witnesses for you. There is no minimum age but any witnesses should be mature enough to understand the ceremony, understand written and spoken English and be able potentially testify in court in extreme cases.

A religious ceremony should be held after your civil ceremony, otherwise it could cast doubt on the legality of the marriage. A change in the law means that a couple cannot contract more than one legal ceremony with each other. Yes please send your reading to us for approval prior to the ceremony. As this is a civil ceremony, no religious connotation is permitted by law. This includes imagery such as trinity candles, crosses on the walls or religious text.

Religious practices such blessings or prayers are also not permitted. Your registrar will advise you on content of music and readings. Anyone under the age of 18 who wishes to marry must have the consent of whoever is responsible for them parent or guardian.

Speak to your local registration office about obtaining the appropriate forms. For an approved premise ceremony please speak to the venue who will advise.

For a registration ceremony please bring the CD with you on the day. A registrar will then play the CD at the ceremony. We have a small selection of classical music appropriate to ceremonies that we will play if you forget your music. For an approved premise ceremony, please speak to the venue who will advise. The price of certificates is set by The General Register Office so may increase at any time.

It can be done in exceptional circumstances. Ring your local registration office and ask to speak to the Superintendent Registrar who will determine if this is the case. Most couples choose three pieces of music: one for entrance, one whilst the marriage register is being signed and one for exiting the ceremony. If you supply music on a CD or memory stick, the registrar will play the music at the relevant parts of the ceremony. If you are using a smart phone, please nominate a friend or family member to operate the music for you.

You may choose any type of music, as long as it is not religious. Marriage law does not allow religious music i. An incidental reference to an angel or heaven is fine. You may include live music, as long as the instruments are acoustic. This is a health and safety regulation. Please bring your music with you on the day.

We do not need to receive it in advance. There is space in the ceremony for up to two readings. Marriage law does not allow any religious music, images texts or prayers to be included a civil ceremony. If you are unsure about any aspect of your ceremony, please contact us, we will be happy to advise you.

You may have music or readings in any language you choose, but they must not be religious. We may ask for a translation of a reading or song, so that we can be sure that it meets legal requirements. You may write your own marriage promises if you wish.

We will usually ask to see any personal ceremony words before the ceremony takes place to make sure that they meet legal requirements. Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Please be advised that you will be interviewed before the ceremony begins.

If you do not wish to see each other before the ceremony begins, please arrive separately — one partner 20 minutes before the ceremony begins and one partner 10 minutes before the ceremony begins. This is an informal interview before your wedding ceremony takes place. The registrar - who will be making the entry in the marriage register and issuing your marriage certificate - will ask you to give personal details similar to those given during your notice of marriage appointment.

The details of your father or stepfather will also be checked — i. For a step-father, he must have been married to your mother at some point. We record this information for genealogy purposes, as the best way to trace a family tree is through birth and marriage certificates. Other people who may be asked include parents, siblings, special friends or other family members.

If the couple have children who are old enough it is also rather special for them to be a witness. It is worth giving some thought to who you are going to ask to be your witnesses during the planning of your wedding. Whilst there is no age requirement, it is obviously important that they understand what they are signing. The Horseshoe Wedding Tradition. Why are wedding celebrants expensive? What is the language requirements for witnesses?

Can witnesses be related to me? Do I need to know the witnesses at my wedding? What is the role of a witnesses at a wedding. To witness proceedings and sign the marriage certificate.

Australian law requires you to have a minimum of two witnesses at your marriage ceremony. Your official witnesses must be adults years or over. There is no limit to the number of people attending your wedding, but only two people will act as official witnesses, signing the official marriage certificates. Your witnesses are often the first two people to congratulate you after you say 'I do! They will be by your side and photographed with you as you sign the marriage certificates and their signatures will appear on all the paperwork connected with your wedding.

The witnesses are your wedding can be any nationality. They do not have to be Australian citizens or residents. Ideally the witnesses at your wedding should be able to speak and read English.