NZ sings while France riots

 

New Zealand sings while France riots ... what is it in the national psyche that makes one nation celebrate the awarding of equal marriage rights to its gay citizens while another nation violently riots? Incompréhensible!

Celebrants & paperwork

An article by Katie Bice published in the Herald-Sun on 16th April 2013 sounds a warning for all Marriage Celebrants and marrying couples. Bice's article was about a Family Court case in which a woman was seeking to have her marriage annulled. Shortly after marrying her husband she'd learned that he was already married. The woman's application was granted.

The warning for Celebrants is to follow through carefully in checking and re-checking paperwork - confirmation of divorce, passport information and other legal documentation presented as evidence that the people to be wed are who they say they are and that they are legally able to be wed. Verbal assurances from either party are just not enough. Celebrants should aim to physically sight any and all required documentation.

The article gives no indication whether action is to be taken against the Celebrant.

Is your Celebrant Commonwealth-registered?

Only Celebrants who are authorised by the Department of the Attorney-General of Australia are legally allowed to celebrate your wedding in Australia.

If your Celebrant is not authorised, your marriage is not legal. It's as simple as that. To check whether your Celebrant is a registered Marriage Celebrant consult the A-G's Register of Marriage Celebrants. This is a list of all Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrants who perform civil & religious ceremonies. It doesn't include ministers of religion or state officials who are also permitted to perform civil ceremonies. You can find more information about getting married and choosing your Celebrant here.

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Celebrants Online welcomes ...Debra Keating, CMC

Debra lives in Melbourne's beautiful, bushland suburb of Eltham. She is a professionally-trained Marriage Celebrant who also celebrates Commitments, Namings and Renewal of Vows. Debra travels widely and will be delighted to work with you whether you are Melbourne or regionally based.

To learn more about Debra, view her profile on Celebrants Online.

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Celebrants Online welcomes ... John Borg, CMC

John is a professionally-trained, full-time Fraser Coast & Sunshine Coast Marriage Celebrant. Based in Hervey Bay, John is happy to travel within the larger Fraser Coast area, from Gympie in the south to Bundaberg in the north and including Maryborough and other western townships.

To learn more about John, view his photo gallery on Celebrants Online.

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Celebrants Online welcomes ... Peter Jacobson, CMC

Peter is based in Launceston, Tasmania and provides marriage celebrant services across Tassie's north. A popular marriage celebrant, Peter is also able to assist with commitment & partnership ceremonies, namings, renewal of vows & funeral services.

Check out Peter's photo gallery on Celebrants Online

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Celebrants Online welcomes ... Ron Thomas, CMC

Ron has been a celebrant for over 20 years. He's also a founding of the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants (AFCC). This experience means that Ron is well-suited to prepare and present your Ceremony.

For further information about Ron, visit his profile on Celebrants Online.

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Celebrants Online welcomes ... Wendy Withers, CMC

Wendy is a Melbourne Marriage Celebrant based in Ferntree Gully but travelling across Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs and farther afield as required.

Wendy celebrates weddings & funerals and provides a professional & personal service.

For further information or to contact Wendy, click here to view her Celebrants Online profile.

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Celebrants Online welcomes ... Noni Johnson, CMC

Noni is a Marriage Celebrant on Victoria's beautiful Great Ocean Road. Based in Aireys Inlet, Noni travels the Surf Coast celebrating weddings, namings, renewal of vows and other ceremonies as required.

For further information or to contact Noni, click here to view her Celebrants Online profile.

Becoming a Marriage Celebrant

Since the Australian Government changed the rules for becoming an authorised Marriage Celebrant, the number of such Celebrants has increased exponentially, from about 3,000 to 13,000 (approximate figures).

If that doesn't worry you, and you're keen to enter the world of Marriage Celebrancy, then your first stop should be the website of the Attorney-General, specifically the page that has all the up-to-date information about becoming a celebrant.

On this page you'll find background information about being a Marriage Celebrant, with some facts & figures that may give you cause to reconsider, information about required qualifications and the application process.

If you have decided that this path is for you ... Good Luck!

Eternity by Aileen Guirnela