If you are already legally married overseas, you usually do not need to marry again in Australia.
The usual position
Australia generally recognises an overseas marriage if:
- it was valid where it happened
- and it is not contrary to Australian law
Important point
You do not use Sydney Marriage Office to register an overseas marriage.
This service is for people who want to get married in Sydney, not people who are already married.
What you may still need
If you need to use the overseas marriage in Australia, you may need:
- the original marriage certificate
- a translation if it is not in English
- extra authentication depending on who is asking for it
If you are not yet married and want the simple Sydney option, use our paperwork-only service instead.