Is your Marriage Celebrant registered? How would you feel if you discovered that your marriage may not be valid after a beautiful wedding day and very romantic honeymoon? When you applied for the Official Copy of your Marriage Certificate, you discovered that celebrant wasn’t registered. Don’t panic! Section 48 of the Marriage Act 1961 says that the marriage will be deemed lawful if either party to the marriage had believed that the celebrant was authorised. What a relief!
Recently, one of my couples asked if I was a Registered Marriage Celebrant. I think it’s an excellent question of a proposed celebrant that all couples should feel they have a right to ask. Registered celebrants must conduct themselves in accordance with a Code of Practice. They are also required to complete 5 hours of Ongoing Professional Development every year. This will include compulsory activities set by the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants. But importantly, celebrants need to be kept updated in regards to any changes or amendments to Commonwealth law in regards to the Marriage Act 1961.
My registration as a Marriage Celebrant can be affected if I was to be convicted of a criminal offence. There are also guidelines that I must follow so that any other business activity I maybe involved with is not seen as a Conflict of Interest. At any time, the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants may review my performance, or even follow up a complaint about my services. So if I don’t fulfill my obligations as a celebrant, disciplinary measures can be taken against me and I could find myself deregistered!
The Marriage Act 1961 protects both couples as well as celebrants who are endeavouring to fulfil their obligations. So is your Marriage Celebrant registered? It’s certainly worth asking the question for your own peace of mind!
Peter Blades – Your Gold Coast Marriage Celebrant