Booking a ceremony

Making your booking

You need to make an appointment with us to discuss having your ceremony at the registry. An appointment can be made by calling our Local Call number 1300 366 430, coming into the registry or emailing BDMCeremonies@justice.qld.gov.au. If you choose the email option, please include your contact details and one of our Registry Officers from the ceremony section will contact you to discuss your appointment.

To book a ceremony you will need to bring:

• evidence of the date and place of birth (birth certificate) of both partners, or for people born outside Australia, a current overseas passport is also acceptable
• evidence of any previous divorce or death of any previous spouse, if applicable (e.g. divorce papers, death certificate).

Originals of these documents must be presented. Photocopies will not be accepted. If a document is not in English, an official translation, in addition to the original, is required. For translating services, contact the Australian Government - Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) - Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) .

We will help you complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (PDF File, 79.4 KB) form and sight your proof of identity documents. Notices must be lodged a minimum of one month prior to the date you wish to get married. For example, if you lodged the notice on 25 June, the earliest date you could get married would be 25 July.

To secure a date and time for your ceremony you will be required to pay the applicable fee (PDF File, 107.1 KB).

If you require further information and are unable to phone or attend the Brisbane Registry in person, you can email your enquiry and contact details to us.

Ceremony times

Our Brisbane Registry conducts ceremonies throughout the week (excluding public holidays).

Monday to Friday:  9.30 am to 4.00 pm. 
Saturday: 10.00 am to 4.30 pm.

A number of regional Magistrates Courts throughout Queensland also conduct ceremonies. Please contact your local Magistrates Court directly to enquire about the availability of this service.

Ordering a marriage certificate

Most couples find they need an official marriage certificate sometime, and usually order a standard marriage certificate or a commemorative marriage package when they book their ceremony.

Cancellations and change of ceremony date

You need to advise us in writing at least two weeks before the booked ceremony date if you wish to cancel your ceremony. If you do give more than two weeks notice of your cancellation, you will be entitled to a part refund. The refund will be made payable to the original payee. If you do not give the required notice, you will forfeit the fee and have to book and pay the full fee to reschedule the ceremony.

You need to advise us in writing at least two weeks before the booked date if you wish to change the date of your ceremony. There is no charge for the first date change. Any requests for further date changes will result in the full ceremony fee being charged.