ELOPEMENT WEDNESDAYS @ CRAIGS ROYAL HOTEL, BALLARAT

Yes, bookings with the Ballarat Marriage Registry are essential. We operate as an 'appointment only' Marriage Registry and our office is closed with the exception of set Wednesdays per month for Elopement Wednesdays. All visitation to the venue relating to Elopements is by appointment only.

A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form must be lodged at least one month prior to the planned date of marriage, and no earlier than 18 months prior. Couples are supported through this requirement step by step.

When signing a NOIM form, couples are acknowledging that all the information provided is true and correct, that each party is not currently legally married, that they are not in a prohibited relationship, that they each fully consent to the marriage and that they are of marriageable age. Failure to lodge the legally required NOIM form within the required timeframe will result in a Couple forfeiting their booking fee. Multiple reminders are provided to each couple regarding lodgement and there are no refunds for failure to lodge NOIM as required.

Both parties to the marriage will be required to provide an Original Legal Birth Certificate document and Drivers Licence/Proof of Age Card, alternatively a Passport by itself is acceptable identification.

If either party to the marriage has been previously married, evidence that the marriage has ended will be required by way of a Divorce Order or a Death Certificate. 

Couples will be guided through these requirements and will be required to bring all original documents with them to their marriage appointment, failure to do so will result in the marriage not being able to take place.  If ID documents are not in English, Couples will need to provide NAATI Certified Translated copies plus the original.

NOTE: Photocopies, scanned copies, digital copies etc are not accepted.

There is no refund in the event that a Couple attend their booked marriage appointment without the original documentation or ID documentation. Requirements are outlined on multiple occasions with each couple in the lead up to their marriage appointment. Failure to provide the necessary documentation will result in a new booking being required to be legally married and the related fees for such. 

There is no refund in the event that a Couple do not attend their booked marriage appointment or decide to cancel or reschedule. Due to the strict scheduling of our Elopement days, late arrivals impact all subsequent bookings of other Couples, and will therefore result in cancellation of the marriage appointment of the late couple. No Refund is provided for failure to arrive by the schedule time. Clear instructions for arrival time are provided to every couple prior to their day of marriage. Ceremonies commence at the booked time and unfortunately we are unable to wait for guests who are running late.

Couples will be provided with full information regarding arrival time for themselves & their Witnesses & permitted guests (depending on booking type).  Multiple marriages will be scheduled throughout the day, however we ensure each booking is allocated ample time, to ensure Couples leaving and arriving avoid crossing over with the previous or following couple. We do ask that our couples be on time to their bookings as late arrivals may result in a marriage not taking place, or jeopardise the time left available to proceed with the planned marriage. The are no refunds in the scenario where a couple do not attend their scheduled booking time.

No.

In general, if the marriage is recognised as valid under the law of the country in which it was entered into, at the time when it was entered into, the marriage will be recognised in Australia as a valid marriage. This is the case whether or not the marriage involves Australian or non-Australian citizens. The Marriage Act does not provide for overseas marriages to be 'registered' in Australia. Whether an overseas marriage is recognised as valid in Australia is determined by the Marriage Act.

There are certain exceptions to the legal recognition of overseas marriage in Australia.

The Marriage Act provides that a marriage that is valid under the laws of another country is not recognised as valid in Australia if one or more of the following circumstances apply:

a) where one of the parties was already married to someone else

b) where one of the parties was not of marriageable age (note further information below about this exception)

c) where one of the parties are too closely related, under Australian law – that is, either as ancestor and descendant (including adoptive ancestor/descendant relationships), or as siblings (including half-siblings and adopted siblings), or

d) where the consent of one of the parties was not a real consent due to

i. duress or fraud

ii. mistake, or

iii. mental incapacity.

A marriage certificate issued by a competent authority in a foreign country is evidence in Australia of the occurrence and validity of the marriage. Couples should carefully retain their overseas marriage certificate as it may not be easy to replace if lost and it provides the only evidence of the overseas marriage. Overseas marriages cannot be registered in Australia.

Please note that it may not be possible to rely on a marriage certificate issued overseas for some purposes in Australia. A party to a marriage which takes place overseas may not be able to rely on an overseas marriage certificate to have an Australian driver licence or an Australian passport issued in their married name.

Couples unsure as to the validity of their previous marriage should seek legal advice.

No, Couples will need to arrange two people to attend their Marriage appointment with them to act as Official Witnesses and sign the legal documentation. Witnesses must be 18+ years old, speak & understand English (as our marriages are conducted in English) and have the mental capacity to understand that a Legal Marriage is taking place. Should a marrying Couple be unable to have two witnesses attend, Official Witnesses can be arranged for an additional fee of $100.

Where a party to the marriage has tested positive for COVID19, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible and an alternative date/time will be scheduled for your marriage. Please tell your guests/witnesses we kindly request they do not attend if they have COVID19 or are experiencing any Cold/Flu like symptoms. All ceremonies are conducted in an intimate indoor setting, people who are unwell will be directly impacting on the health of others. Thank you for your understanding.

Couples are welcome to have one of their witnesses at a Legals Only Elopement, or one of the guests at a Ceremonial Elopement take photographs. Alternatively couples are most welcome to have just one Professional Photographer attend. Upon booking, should you wish to engage a Professional Photographer we will supply you with details of Photographers permitted to photograph with the Ballarat Marriage Registry.  

Photographers must arrive at the times advised and prior to the marriage commencing. There is no access to the ceremony room for Photographers to arrive before the advised time or whilst marriages are being conducted.  

Couples are required to provide the name of their Professional Photographer who will be attending on-site as they will be contacted by Ballarat Marriage Registry with guidelines and time restrictions. They will also be required to provide the Ballarat Marriage Registry with a Certificate of Currency for Professional Indemnity & Public Liability Insurance.

No. Videography is not permitted at the Ballarat Marriage Registry. 

The Ballarat Marriage Registry operates from the stunning heritage setting of Craig's Ryal Hotel, nestled in the heart of Ballarat central. Whilst each couple has a time allocation in the actual ceremony space, Craig's Royal Hotel has many beautiful features and extended Photography is allowed onsite. Whilst there is generally time for some photography post-ceremony, photography time in the cermeony space is limited prior to each couples required departure time. Couples who have opted for additional photography time with their Photographer may choose to have photographs taken at Craig's Royal Hotel before moving off to charming Ballarat city laneways or streets with heritage architecture,  or such locations as Lake Wendouree & Botanical Gardens precinct.. 

Couples who book a Ceremonial Elopement are permitted up to 10 guests (including their 2 witnesses). Children are welcome in those guest numbers. Infants 2yrs & under are not counted in the guest numbers. 

Please note that we can accommodate pushers/prams, easy access to 'The Prince's Room is via the lift. . Please advise your Guests to arrive at the times provided (not earlier as we have ceremonies in progress). There is no access to the ceremony space for guests who arrive late, whilst marriages are being conducted our ceremony space is closed to avoid interruptions and for security. 

We ask that additional guests do not attend the venue or wait outside the Ballarat Marriage Registry for marriages to conclude unless a dining booking has been made with Craig's Royal Hotel or the couple have arranged to meet family & friends for drinks in The Corner Bar at Craig's Royal Hotel. Bookings with the venue are encouraged in this instance. We are mindful of the importance of respecting all visitors to the venue.

Unfortunately food and drink is not permitted inside Ballarat Marriage Registry at Craig's Royal Hotel. Dining options are available such as High Tea, Lunch and Dinner or celebratory drinks in The Corner Bar. Please contact Craig's Royal Hotel directly to arrange your booking.

Visitors to Ballarat Marriage Registry at Craig's Royal Hotel are not permitted to throw any form of confetti, eco confetti, flower petals whether fresh or dried, rice or any similar products on the property. Bubbles or bubble blowers are not permitted. 

Every Couple is very welcome to choose to exchange personal vows after saying the legal vows which will be provided, regardless if they have booked a Legals Only or Ceremonial Elopement.

Yes! Absolutely, regardless if Couples have booked a Legals Only or Ceremonial Elopement, all marrying couples may choose to exchange wedding rings. 

• Yes, every Couple will be presented with a Commonwealth Marriage Certificate to take with them after their marriage appointment. (This is sometimes called a Ceremonial Marriage Certificate or Party Certificate). 
• This is not the Registered Marriage Certificate (which is often referred to as the Legal or Offical Marriage Certificate) therefore many oganisations will not accept this certificate as proof of marriage. 
• Ballarat Marriage Registry has the opportunity to order a Legal Marriage Certificate on behalf of a Couple only at the time of the marriage for registration with Victorian Births Deaths & Marriages, not at a later date. Ballarat Marriage Registry is happy to process this certificate order for couples if requested. 
• Couples are required to pay the VIC BDM Certificate directly to VIC BDM via phone. (Instructions are provided). The Certificate is express posted by VIC BDM directly to the Couples home address. 
• Alternatively, Couples can apply directly to Births Deaths & Marriage Victoria online to order certificates. 

As all our marriages & ceremonies are officiated in English, if either party to the marriage or their witnesses do not speak or understand English, the Couple must arrange for an Interpreter at their own expense.  Ballarat Marriage Registry must be notified a minimum of 3 weeks prior to the ceremony if an Interpreter will be required and relevant processes followed relating to legally required paperwork. Couples will be guided through this scenario.

Couples are encouraged to be as 'dressed up' or 'casual' as makes them happy! Wedding dresses and suits are welcome, so are jeans and a t-shirt! 😊

Although we are big animal lovers, sadly pets cannot attend Marriage appointments with their people. 

Couples who arrive to their marriage appointment, where one or both parties to the marriage appear under the influence of alcohol or other substances will not be permitted to marry at the booked marriage appointment time. There are no refunds for marriage appointments forfeited for this reason.

The Ballarat Marriage Registry operates one Wednedsay per month by appointment only, out of 'The Prince's Room' at Craig's Royal Hotel, 10 Lydiard St Sth, Ballarat VIC 3350.  The Ballarat Marriage Registry is not onsite at Craig's Royal Hotel at any other time. 

Elopement Wednesdays are strictly by appointment only.

For those visitors arriving by car, there is on street metered car parking available directly around Craig's Royal Hotel. For Couples travelling by Train to Ballarat, our Ballarat Marriage Registry at Craig's Royal Hotel is just 550m from the Ballarat Railway Station in Lydiard St Nth (approx 2.5 blocks walk). Our location is also accessible via the Public Transport Bus Network.  

Accessibility - being set in a 5 Star Hotel, our Ballarat Marriage Registry location has a lift available to access the The Prince's Room registry space.