Certificates of No Impediment (CNI) to Marriage

Certificates of No Impediment (CNI) to Marriage

If you are planning to marry overseas, foreign authorities will likely require a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI). This document serves as formal evidence that you are legally free to marry according to Australian law. Understanding the requirements and planning your documentation is essential for a smooth overseas wedding experience.

Determining Your Requirements

The requirements for getting married abroad are determined by the destination country, not by Australia. It is your responsibility to confirm exactly what is needed.

• Contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country in Australia to ask if a CNI is mandatory.

• Some countries may accept a ‘Single Status Certificate’ or a ‘No Record Result Certificate’ from your state’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages instead of a CNI.

• Verify if the authority requires the CNI to be issued in Australia or if it must be obtained from the nearest Australian embassy or consulate once you are overseas.

Supporting Documentation

To apply for a CNI, at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You must provide:

• A valid Australian passport (for citizens) or a foreign passport with evidence of permanent residency.

• If previously married, you must provide an original Divorce Certificate or a deceased partner’s Death Certificate.

• Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a professional translation.

The Application Process

1. Complete the CNI application form and, if applying within Australia, a document legalisation request form. Note: Digital signatures are not accepted; the form must be physically signed.

2. You must sign the application in the presence of an authorised witness, such as a Notary Public or a Justice of the Peace.

3. The application fee is A$181. If the overseas authority requires the CNI to be legalised (Apostille or Authentication), an additional fee of A$105 per document applies.

Tips for a Smooth Process

• Always ask the overseas authority if your CNI requires an Apostille or Authentication certificate to be recognised.

• Foreign authorities often request birth certificates or other Australian documents; ensure you know if these also require legalisation.

• Using a Notary Public can help ensure your identity documents and application are correctly certified and witnessed to avoid processing delays.

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