What Paperwork is Signed During the Ceremony?
Once you have exchanged vows at your WA wedding ceremony, there is one more legal requirement before it is official: signing the marriage paperwork.
This includes the Official Certificate of Marriage and the Form 15 Certificate, which are signed in front of two legal witnesses and your authorised civil celebrant.
It is the crucial step that legally registers your marriage with the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA BDM), ensuring your wedding is valid under the Marriage Act 1961. While your guests may be ready to party, this signing moment is an essential legal formality in every Australian wedding.
When Does the Signing Happen?
The signing happens during the ceremony, usually right after your vows and first kiss but before the final announcement and your big walk back down the aisle. It only takes a few minutes and adds a lovely sense of occasion. If the weather is wild (hot, windy, or rainy), we can easily shift to a sheltered spot to keep things comfortable.
What Are We Signing?
You will sign two key documents:
The Official Certificate of Marriage – this is the legal document I send to the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA BDM) to register your marriage.
The Form 15 Certificate of Marriage – this is the keepsake certificate you take home. It’s beautiful but cannot be used for legal changes like your name or ID updates.
The Red Book Tradition
Previously celebrants were required to record every wedding in a Red Book, known as the Marriage Register. While that rule has changed, I still bring mine along to store your signed certificates. It’s a sweet nostalgic touch and a lovely visual for your ceremony.
Legal Requirements for Signing
According to the Marriage Act 1961, there are a few key legal requirements for signing your paperwork on the day:
Who Signs: Both of you (bride and groom or partners), your two witnesses, and I (your celebrant) must sign the documents.
Number of Signatures: Everyone will sign the Official Certificate of Marriage and the Form 15 Certificate. In total, there are 15 signatures required across both documents.
Order of Signing: Typically, the couple signs first, followed by the witnesses, and then I’ll sign last.
Don’t stress if you’re wearing a big dress, the Photographer & I will make sure you are comfortable, even if that means sitting down to sign the whole time and everyone else plays musical chairs at signing table.
Choosing Your Witnesses
You’ll need two witnesses to sign the marriage documents. They can be friends, family, or anyone you trust, but there are a few requirements:
Over 18 years of age: Witnesses must be legal adults.
Able to hear and understand the ceremony: Witnesses need to follow along to verify that the marriage took place.
Stay sober: Witnesses should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as they are legally verifying your marriage.
Provide their full legal name: I’ll need their full legal names (not nicknames) for the paperwork, so be sure to gather that info ahead of time.
What If We Make a Mistake?
Mistakes happen! If there’s a small error on the Official Certificate of Marriage, like a witness name being spelled wrong, we’ll cross it out and both initial the correction.
However, if there’s an error on the Form 15 Certificate, like a change of location or other major details. I’ll destroy the incorrect certificate and replace it with a new one.
Both serial numbers are recorded againist your names. I keep a log of all my Form 15 certificates, even the ones the printer eats! So don’t worry, your wedding will be fully documented and handled with care.
Don’t Lose Your Form 15 Certificate!
The Form 15 Certificate is the pretty one you take home as a keepsake, and it’s irreplaceable, so keep it safe! I like to hand it to a trusted person after the ceremony, maybe your parents or place it somewhere secure like the wishing well, so it doesn’t get lost in the celebration. I also love capturing a photo of you holding the certificate, it’s a special moment worth remembering!
Wrapping Up
Once everything is signed, I’ll submit the Official Certificate to the WA BDM within 14 days to register your marriage. After it’s processed, you can apply for your Registered Marriage Certificate, which is the legal version needed for name changes and ID updates.
If you ever have questions or feel unsure about any part of the paperwork, I’m always here to help. Let’s keep it stress-free, legally sound, and totally you.
Call That Celebrant © 2025 Elise is an Authorised Civil Celebrant based in Bunbury, delivering personalised, legally sound ceremonies across Perth, Margaret River, and the South West of Western Australia. From the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) to the Declaration of No Legal Impediment (DONLIM) and signing your Form 15 Certificate, Elise guides couples through each step of the legal wedding process with warmth and clarity.
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