Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions

The responses to the following questions have been providing in good faith by ACQ members, who have endeavoured to ensure that all information given at the time it was written is correct.   Whilst it is our intention to up-date this site if and when necessary, you may nonetheless wish to check with your Marriage Celebrant or a member of the ACQ to ascertain if there have been any recent changes to the information so provided.

What does a Marriage Celebrant do?
What is the Notice of Intended Marriage Form (NIM/NOIM)?
What is a Shortening of Time?
Can we lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NIM) if my fiancé’s divorce is not yet finalised?
How do we choose our Marriage Celebrant?
Do we have any obligations to our Marriage Celebrant once we have organised our wedding with him/her?
Does the Marriage Celebrant we engage have to belong to a professional association?
What fee do we pay to secure the services of a Marriage Celebrant?
How many meetings must we have with our Marriage Celebrant?
How much does a Marriage Celebrant cost?
Why does a "civil" Marriage Celebrant's cost vary from one paid to a Religious Celebrant?
Does a Marriage Celebrant have to hold a rehearsal?
Does a Marriage Celebrant travel away from his/her local area?
Do Marriage Celebrants have to provide a portable Public Address (PA) system?
How long before the wedding does the Marriage Celebrant have to arrive?
What happens if we wish to change Marriage Celebrants?
I have heard that, to change my name on my bank account, I cannot use the Marriage Certificate presented to us on the day of our marriage.  Is this correct?
Can I marry my same-sex partner?

Thank you to ACQ member Barbara Blackmur for her support in updating this informaion.
Updated 11 November 2009 Disclaimer.