If you’re planning a wedding, you may be wondering if there is a difference between a celebrant and a registrar. The short answer is celebrants marry couples in Australian while a registrar is the term used in the UK.

To be legally married in Australia, an authorised marriage celebrant will need to conduct your ceremony.

There are four types of marriage celebrants in Australia including:

• Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants – These are the most commonly used these days. They perform civil ceremonies, which is a non-religious marriage ceremony and can take place anywhere you like.
• Commonwealth-registered religious marriage celebrants – These celebrants do not have to perform ceremonies that do not align with their religious beliefs; however, they must say they are a religious marriage celebrant when they advertise their services.
• Ministers of religion who are from a recognised denomination – The minister must be part of a recognised religion in Australia.
• State and territory officers – These officers are generally officers of a court or the registry of births, deaths and marriages.

Regardless, of what your preference is, any authorised celebrant will need to include words during the ceremony which are required by law to make your marriage legal.

If you’re planning a civil ceremony

Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants can perform civil ceremonies anywhere in Australia. 

Most people pick these celebrants if you’re organising your wedding ceremony yourself in a location of your choice. They can completely personalise the ceremony to suit your needs and style.

You can find a list of celebrants here on the official government website depending on where you live in Australia and where you intend to have the ceremony.

State and territory regulated celebrants can perform civil ceremonies within the state or territory where they are appointed. 

This includes celebrants who perform weddings for the registry office, as well as local court registrars.

You would pick one of these celebrants if you’re planning to get married by a local court registrar at a court house. 

Find a state and territory regulated marriage celebrant here.

A religious ceremony

Ministers of religion and religious marriage celebrants can refuse to perform a marriage ceremony that does not align with their religious beliefs, including same sex marriages.

Ministers of religion can perform ceremonies anywhere in Australia for their nominated recognised religion, according to the rites of that religion. They are managed by:

• the registry of births, deaths and marriages in their state or territory 
• their religious organisation

Find a minister of religion here.

Commonwealth-registered religious marriage celebrants can perform ceremonies anywhere in Australia for non-recognised religious organisations. 

How to choose a celebrant

Things to consider when choosing a celebrant:

• the type of marriage ceremony you want, such as a religious ceremony in a place of worship or a non-religious ceremony
• if their celebrant style matches the type of ceremony you want
• what services they offer
• their availability and fees

It can help to:

• get personal recommendations from family and friends
• check the celebrant’s website to get a sense of their personality and style
• check reviews from previous clients

You may consider meeting several celebrants before finding the one that is the right fit for you. Manly’s Best Buyers Agent