Applying for Your Official Marriage Certificate
The official marriage certificate is different to the decorative one you receive on your wedding day.
After your wedding, once the confetti has settled and the cake has been eaten, there’s one more important step to take care of: applying for your Official Marriage Certificate (OCM).
This is different from the decorative certificate you receive on your wedding day. That one is a keepsake. The Official Marriage Certificate is issued by Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM) in the State you were married – it is the legal marriage certificate and is what you’ll need for all the “life admin” that comes after, things like changing your name, updating ID or proving your marriage for legal purposes.
Does It Work?
The good news is, you don’t have to worry about a thing on the day. Your celebrant will lodge your marriage paperwork with BDM within 24 hours of your ceremony. Once that’s done, you can apply for your certificate directly through BDM (Births, Deaths, Marriages)
For my couples, I take this one step further.
I apply for your OCM on your behalf, saving you the stress of navigating forms and government websites. It’s all part of the service I provide, because I want the process to feel easy, simple, and stress-free.
How Long Does It Take?
Births, Deaths & Marriages advise that processing can take up to 20 business days before your certificate arrives.
In my experience, it’s usually much quicker, around 5 to 10 working days. Just keep in mind that the time of year can make a difference. During busy seasons (like November), things can take a little longer.
Either way, I’ll keep you in the loop so you know when to expect it.
Why This Certificate Matters
Your Official Marriage Certificate is the document you’ll need for things like:
Changing your name (if you choose to)
Updating your driver’s licence, passport, and Medicare
Managing legal or financial documents together
Showing proof of marriage when needed
Keeping It Stress-Free
For any couple, the OCM is essential, but for my couples, it’s one less thing to worry about. I’ll take care of the application for you, so you can focus on soaking up newlywed life while I handle the paperwork.
Ready to Keep It Simple?
If you’d love the peace of mind of knowing everything is taken care of, from the legal words in your ceremony to the paperwork after, let’s chat. I’ll guide you through the whole journey and make sure you’re not left with any stress.
Get in touch. I’ll handle the legal side, while you focus on celebrating your marriage.