How to Get Your Marriage Certificate in the Northern Territory

Complete guide to ordering your official marriage certificate after a Darwin or Northern Territory marriage.

Order Your Marriage Certificate in the Northern Territory

After your marriage ceremony in Darwin or elsewhere in the Northern Territory, you may need the official government marriage certificate for name changes, passports, visas, banking, or other legal purposes.

The Basic Process

Step 1: Get married

  • your celebrant performs the legal marriage ceremony
  • you and your witnesses sign the marriage documents
  • you receive a ceremonial certificate on the day

Step 2: Registration

  • all marriage ceremonies performed in the Northern Territory are registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages
  • your celebrant sends the relevant marriage documents for registration
  • the NT Government says to allow 3 days from when the documents reach the office for the marriage to be registered

Official NT information:

Step 3: Apply for the official certificate

Once the marriage is registered, you can apply for the certificate.

Official application link:

Important Things to Know

  • this application process is for marriages that happened in the NT
  • you will need identification documents
  • there is a government fee
  • the official certificate is different from the ceremonial certificate you receive on the wedding day

The NT fee schedule is published here:

Common Uses for the Official Certificate

  • changing your surname after marriage
  • updating passports and licences
  • banking and superannuation changes
  • immigration or visa matters
  • overseas legal use

If You Need the Certificate Overseas

You may also need apostille or legalisation depending on the destination country.

Read:

Helpful Next Steps