Under the Marriage Act 1961 there are certain obligations that you must meet prior to a marriage ceremony being solemnised:

 A Notice of intended Marriage must be lodged with me no less than one month and one day and no more than 18 months prior to the marriage being solemnised.

 Under normal circumstances the Notice of Intended Marriage would be completed at your first meeting with me, but certainly before the marriage can be solemnised and within the above requirements.

 I must see your original Birth Certificate. Persons born in Australia MUST produce their birth certificates.

 Persons born outside Australia are also required to produce birth certificates. However, in the absence of that document, they may produce their overseas Passport.

 If you have previously been married, then a copy of the Decree Absolute or Death Certificate, whichever is applicable must be produced.

 Prior to your wedding you both will be required to sign a declaration, under the Marriage Act 1961, stating that you believe there is no legal impediment to the marriage between yourself and your partner.

 You are required to have two witnesses present at the marriage who are both over 18 years of age, to sign the Marriage Register and Certificates.