Dear Thinkabit,

A celebrant is not strictly required for a marriage. Nevertheless, there is no law (in Australia) to prevent anyone from officiating as a marriage celebrant. Well without approved qualifications, the marriage may not be recognised by the state, but what's the big deal?

I once asked a marriage celebrant about it and their response was that it is not an offense so long as the celebrant does not mislead by pretending to present the marriage as a "legal marriage". To be on the safe side, they said, just make sure that the word "legal" (or "legally") is never mentioned in the ceremony. Well if I was being married, I anyway wouldn't like that word to cloud my celebration!

What you receive in NSW is a 'Marriage Certificate' under the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Act 1995. Rites granted under the Marriage Act 1961. The government certificate acts as proof of marriage, and not the ornate certificate some receive from a church.

There are 8 sub sections on a Marriage Certificate. 1 Marriage, 2 Bridegroom, 3 Bride, 4 Celebrant, 5 Rites, 6 Witnesses, 7 Registering Authority, 8 Endorsements.

Splitting hairs between a Marriage Licence and Marriage Certificate.

Paul1405,

And whether a Marriage Licence or a Marriage Certificate it is still a Marriage Contract.

Which brings us to the question: What is a Marriage Contract?

Hint: You'll need to put your anthropology cap on to answer this one.

Dear Paul,

«Splitting hairs between a Marriage Licence and Marriage Certificate.»

Yes, especially when none of them is needed for marriage itself.

«The government certificate acts as proof of marriage»

It does not prove anything, no love, no commitment, no soul connection, only that the parties did some paperwork and paid the corresponding fee.

Ok, so ignore everything that I've said so far. I've just re-read what NathanJ posted and have realised that I've misunderstood what he was saying.

By "marriage licence" he means similar to what they have in other countries, eg. USA, where you go to the government (local court house?) and get a marriage licence to marry before your actual marriage ceremony. (I think we may have had a similar process here ages ago).

Somehow I misconstrued his post and thought that by "marriage licence" he meant those who are licensed (registered) to marry people.

Paul,

"Splitting hairs between a Marriage Licence and Marriage Certificate"

There is no hair-splitting at all, a licence is permission to do something a marriage certificate is proof that something was done.

Poles apart.