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Signing two Official Certificates of Marriage electronically

Posted by Sarah Aird | Dec 22, 2018 | Our Guidelines to Australian Marriage Law | 0 |

Alison asks:

This might be more of a Josh question because it’s about electronic paperwork – or maybe it is for Sarah because of the legal side. I’m performing my very first ceremony tomorrow (hooray!) and I’ve received permission from the ACT BDM to accept electronic signatures and to submit the paperwork by email. I’ve watched Josh’s video for how to sign the marriage paperwork on an iPad and I’m all set to go.

My question is, since I have the electronic paperwork, do I need everyone to sign TWO official marriage certificates (plus the Form 15) after the ceremony, or just the one connected to the DONLIM since I am sending electronically and will retain the digital copy. I can’t see any reason to sign two copies of the same digital document, except for the fact the Marriage Act 50(1)(b) says: Where an authorised celebrant solemnises a marriage, the authorised celebrant shall: prepare 2 official certificates of the marriage.

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Sarah Aird

Sarah Aird is known as The Oracle in Australian marriage celebrant circles, she's a wizard when it comes to Australian marriage law and celebrant training.