Being a celebrant is a special and important role in the community. It also attracts serious obligations and legal responsibilities. Failure to meet those responsibilities can have serious consequences.
This page outlines some important information about your role as a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant.
You must:
This includes a change in your occupation or business interests or a criminal conviction.
Joining a celebrant association may also be beneficial in your role as celebrant.
Key resources
The Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961 for Marriage Celebrants contains essential information on solemnising marriages.
The Conflict of interest and benefit to business guidelines will help you identify, disclose and avoid a potential conflict of interest or benefit to a business.
The Advertising guidelines provide advice on how to develop your advertising material.
The Marriage Celebrant Matters newsletter updates celebrants with important news and events.
Ongoing professional development
You must complete five hours of professional development activities each year. This includes compulsory and elective activities.
Disciplinary measures may be imposed on you if you fail to complete this obligation.
You must choose your 2013 activities from the list below.
Three registered training organisations provide these activities:
You should contact them directly for information. There are face-to-face and distance education options.
More detailed information is in the document below.
Performance reviews
Your performance as a celebrant will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is satisfactory. A review is required every five years but may occur more often if needed.
Your review will be based on the information we have in our files and database. You may also be asked for more information.
You will be informed when a review is due to take place and the period of time it will cover.
You will also be informed of the outcome once the review is completed.
If your performance is unsatisfactory, disciplinary measures may be imposed. You will have the opportunity to comment if this is the outcome of your review.
More information is in the pack you received when you were registered as a celebrant.
Marriage stationery
CanPrint Communications is contracted by the Australian Government to supply marriage stationery, including marriage registers, official forms and certificates.
Authorised marriage celebrants can purchase marriage stationery by contacting CanPrint Communications. Your marriage celebrant registration number must be quoted when purchasing marriage stationery.
Visit the CanPrint Communications website for information, order forms and contact details. You can email CanPrint Communications at marriage@infoservices.com.au.
CanPrint Communications is the only authorised supplier of the Form 15 Certificate of Marriage. See the downloads section on this webpage for forms and certificates that can be downloaded at no cost.
Marriage celebrants may generate or purchase marriage forms from other sources but must ensure that such forms substantially comply with the forms specified in the Marriage Regulations 1963. If such forms do not comply, the registries of births, deaths and marriages have the authority under the Marriage Act 1961 to reject them.