Marriage Process in Australia

Step 1.

You or your fiancé will need to make an appointment with the purohit as soon as possible to sign the Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM). Both the groom and the bride need to sign the NOIM. It must be lodged at least one month and one day before the marriage is conducted. Any one of you can alone lodge the notice in Australia. If both of you are outside of Australia you can have an authorised person witness the notice overseas — see addendum below.

There is a lodgement fee of $175.00 — non-refundable that must be paid with the NOIM.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Birth Certificates — in the absence of a Birth Certificate a Statutory Declaration can be signed in the presence of the purohit.
• Passports should be produced if born outside of Australia and not yet Australian Citizens.
• An Australian passport cannot be used as a substitute for a birth certificate.
• If divorced then the divorce papers will need to be produced.

You may bring your parents to this interview if you wish but the papers must be signed in private to preserve confidentiality.

Step 2.

A meeting will be required with the bridal couple and all other interested parties such as parents, siblings close friends etc. to discuss the format and program for the Hindu wedding ceremony.

The following topics will be discussed:

• Optimum duration of the ceremony.
• Type of ceremony — North Indian, South Indian, Brahmin, Non-brahmin, Arya Samaji, Sanatani etc.
• The vows and affirmations will be taken in English. These will be discussed along with the format for recitation.
• The relevant parts that others will play.

Any doubts or special requests will be responded to.

You will need to provide the names of your fathers, paternal grandfathers and paternal great grandfathers for mention at the Hindu ceremony.

Depending on the financial circumstances of the families a minimum donation of $150 - $500 is required for the ceremony.

Step 3.

Some time prior to the wedding day a rehearsal can be arranged for the couple and any others that wish to attend.

Step 4.

A week before the wedding the couple will need to meet with the purohit to sign Declarations as to conjugal status.

Step 5.

Conduct the ceremony. A running commentary on the ceremony is given in English for the benefit of the guests.

Step 6.

After the wedding the marriage registry and official certificate will be signed with the couple and 2 witnesses.

Step 7.

The couple will then be presented with the certificate of marriage.