Your rights as a couple

Couples who are married, in a civil partnership or living together (in a de facto relationship) have certain rights.

To find the practical and legal issues you need to know around getting married, registering your relationship as a civil partnership and living together, talk to a family lawyer.

Marriage

We register all legal weddings that take place in Queensland through the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Find out about:

• getting married
• requesting an interview appointment to book a wedding with us
• registering a marriage
• marriage certificates
• changing your name through marriage.

You can also refer to the Happily Ever Before and After (PDF, 163KB) pamphlet you are given by your registered celebrant before your wedding.

Overseas marriage

The Marriage Act 1961 details whether a marriage solemnised and registered outside Australia is valid under Australian law.

While a marriage that takes place overseas can’t be registered in Australia, it will usually be recognised if:

• it’s recognised under the law of the country where the marriage took place
• it would have been recognised as a valid marriage under Australian law if you had been married here, so
  • both parties were at least 18
  • neither party was married to another person at the time of marriage
  • the relationship isn’t with a parent, descendent, sibling or half sibling.

If you get married overseas, you need to:

• make sure your marriage is legally registered in that country
• have the legal marriage document issued by the registering authority in that country.

Civil partnership

We also register relationships that are recorded as civil partnerships in Queensland.

Find out about:

• requesting an interview appointment to book a ceremony with us
• registering your civil partnership without a ceremony
• civil partnership certificates
• withdrawing your application to register a civil partnership
• ending a civil partnership
• withdrawing your application to end your civil partnership

You can also refer to the legal effects of entering a civil partnership.

De facto relationships

To find out what you need to know about living together as a couple, without marrying or entering civil partnership (i.e. in a de facto relationship):

• find a family lawyer
• visit the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia