Lyla Lindsey
Marriage records in Australia are managed by each state and territory, which has its own Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Marriage records in the Colony of New South Wales (NSW) date back to 1787, with civil registration beginning in 1856. The NSW Registry offers free, unrestricted searching for births over 100 years ago, deaths over 30 years ago, and marriages over 50 years ago. For marriages within the last 50 years, eligibility requirements must be met to obtain a copy of the certificate. In addition to official registries, marriage records can also be found in church registers, newspapers, wills, cemetery records, and headstone inscriptions. Other states such as South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) also maintain their own historical marriage records, with some records dating back to the early 19th century. These records can be accessed through libraries, CD-ROMs, and online databases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage records in Australia | Civil registration of births, deaths and marriages in the Colony of New South Wales (NSW) began in 1856. |
| Marriage records before 1856 | Baptisms, marriages and burials were recorded in church registers. |
| Marriage records in Canberra | For marriages before 1930, use the indexes of NSW. ACT Historic Marriage Index (PDF version) (1930-1941) includes marriage registration number, given names and surnames of both parties, and the date of marriage. |
| Marriage records in Tasmania | Tasmanian Pioneer Index 1803-1899: indexes to births, deaths and marriages registered in Tasmania from 1803 to 1899, including church records for baptisms, marriages and burials from 1803-1838, and official records from 1838-1899. |
| Marriage records in South Australia | South Australian Marriages Registrations 1842 to 1937: records of marriages registered in the state under a compulsory registration system introduced in 1842. |
| Marriage certificate | You can apply for a copy of a marriage certificate for marriages that occurred in the past 50 years through the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. |
| Marriage records in the Koori Mail newspaper, Dawn magazine, and historical missionary magazines | Search the Australian Indigenous Index to find information about marriages. |
| Getting married abroad | The process of getting married abroad varies from country to country and can be time-consuming and expensive. Contact the office that issues marriage certificates or the tourist information bureau of the country to understand the requirements. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage records in the State Library of New South Wales
Marriage records are a valuable resource for researching family history. The State Library of New South Wales holds a wealth of information on marriages, births, and deaths, with records dating back to the late 18th century.
Civil Registration Records
Civil registration, the official government recording of births, deaths, and marriages, began in New South Wales in 1856. The State Library holds civil registration records for marriages from this date onwards. These records are available in the library's eResources and can also be accessed through the library's catalogue on CD-ROM.
Church Records
Prior to 1856, baptisms, marriages, and burials were recorded in church registers. The State Library holds church records for marriages dating from 1787 to 1856. These records can be found in the library's collection of parish registers, available on microfilm and CD-ROM. The library's resources also include the Australasian Genealogical Computer Index (AGCI), which contains 3.9 million records from the 19th and 20th centuries, including marriage notices from newspapers and marriage records from parish registers.
Newspaper Records
Newspapers are another valuable source of marriage information. The State Library holds indexes of birth, death, and marriage notices for several newspapers, including the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald. These newspapers can be searched for marriage announcements published between 1803 and 1954, offering details such as the full names of the married couple, the date of their engagement or marriage, the wedding location, and the names of their parents.
Other Resources
In addition to civil registration, church, and newspaper records, the State Library offers other resources to assist with marriage record research:
- Parish Registers in Australia: This book provides a list of originals, transcripts, microforms, and indexes of Australian parish registers, helping researchers identify the institution that holds the specific parish registers they seek.
- Australian Indigenous Index: This index contains information about births, funerals, and marriages in the Koori Mail newspaper, Dawn magazine, and historical missionary magazines.
- St. Margaret's Hospital Records: These records from 1894 to 1998 include baptismal registers, baby books, patient admission books, and some medical records. Written permission from the Sisters of St. Joseph is required to view these records.
The State Library of New South Wales provides a comprehensive collection of marriage records and resources, making it an invaluable destination for those researching family history in the state.
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Marriage records in Tasmania
If you choose not to search for records on the Libraries Tasmania website, you can complete an application with Births, Deaths and Marriages online or by post. You can also take the application in person to your closest Service Tasmania shop. This office searches a five-year period for the standard fee. For searches of six years or more, extended fees are payable. If the record is found, a certificate is issued. If there is no record, a 'Certificate of No Record' is issued.
The type of information provided to the Registry varies with the passage of time, and early records are not as comprehensive as those issued today. Before 1839, there was no official registration of marriages, and the only records are Church Registers, many of which can be viewed on the Tasmanian Names Index. From 1897, the birthplace of the deceased was included. By 1908, the name of the spouse was included. From 1914, the age at marriage and issue of the marriage was included.
Tasmanian registrations give less information than many other Australian states. Generally, they include the age at marriage (sometimes only whether "under" or "over" age, i.e. 21), occupation and status (e.g. bachelor and spinster).
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Marriage records in South Australia
Church records are another source of marriage information. If you know the church your family attended, you can check if the State Library holds their records. The State Library of South Australia also has the Matrimonial Petitions Index (1859-1893) on microfiche, which lists those applying for various official forms of separation and divorce.
Graham Jaunay's website provides an overview of parish records before civil registration, as well as a searchable database of names listed within these early records. The Find My Past database contains birth, death, and marriage registration indices for South Australia from 1836. It is available to search from within the State Library of South Australia. Marriage indices are available up to 1937.
Genealogy SA has published brief extracts from the South Australian births, deaths, and marriages indexes on their website. You can search their online databases for your South Australian ancestors for free.
You can also purchase copies of certificates from the Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registration Office. More recent certificates may be limited to the person named, their parents, or their children, and you may need to provide proof of identity.
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Marriage records in the Australian Capital Territory
Marriage records in Australia are held by each of the country's six states and two federal territories. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was administratively part of New South Wales (NSW) before 1911 and was known as the Federal Capital Territory between 1 January 1911 and 29 July 1938. For marriage records in the Canberra region before 1930, you should refer to the indexes of NSW. These records may be found under the Districts of Queanbeyan or Yass. The NSW civil registration system included the Federal Capital Territory/Australian Capital Territory.
The ACT began registering births, deaths, and marriages on 1 January 1930, under the Federal Capital Territory Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act, 1929. The ACT Historic Marriage Index (1930-1941) is available as a PDF and includes the registration number, the given names and surnames of both parties, and the date of marriage.
The National Library of Australia provides a comprehensive guide to BDM records from all Australian jurisdictions. The library also provides access to eResources, including Findmypast (World Edition), which can be used to search for marriage records.
You can also search for marriage records online. Websites such as findmypast.com.au allow users to search for marriage records in the Australian Capital Territory. These records can provide information such as the date of marriage and the names of both parties.
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Marriage records in church registers
Marriage records in Australia were maintained by churches before the commencement of civil registration in 1856. These church registers are a valuable source of information for those seeking to confirm marriage dates and details.
The information recorded in church registers varies across religions and denominations, with Anglican, Catholic, and Presbyterian churches maintaining the most extensive records. Marriage registers typically include the names of the bride and groom, and may also note their ages, occupations, and parents' names. For women, their maiden name and any former married names may be included. Marriage registers sometimes include the published banns, which were announcements of the intent to marry made in the weeks preceding the wedding.
In New South Wales, the Sydney Archdiocesan Archives holds the Anglican Parish Registers from 1814 to 2011, and these have been indexed by Ancestry, allowing for name searches. The Society of Australian Genealogists in Sydney also holds microfilms of church registers of all denominations from across Australia and overseas. They have microfilmed the baptism, marriage, and burial registers of churches deposited into the Sydney Diocesan Archives up to about 1930, and in some cases, more recent dates.
For marriages that took place in the Canberra region prior to 1930, the indexes of New South Wales should be consulted, as this area was administratively part of New South Wales until 1911. The ACT Historic Marriage Index (1930-1941) is another valuable resource, providing the marriage registration number, the given names and surnames of both parties, and the date of marriage.
In Tasmania, the Tasmanian Pioneer Index (1803-1899) provides indexes to marriages registered in the state, including church records for marriages between 1803 and 1838. South Australia introduced a compulsory registration system for marriages in 1842, and the records from 1842 to 1937 are available.
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Frequently asked questions
Marriages in NSW before 1856 were recorded in church registers. These records are available at the State Library of NSW.
Civil registration of births, deaths and marriages in NSW began on 1 March 1856. The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages offers free, unrestricted searching for marriages over 50 years ago. You can apply for a copy of a marriage certificate from the past 50 years through the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
ACT was part of NSW until 1911. For marriages before 1930, use the indexes of NSW. The ACT Historic Marriage Index (1930-1941) includes marriage registration numbers, the names of both parties, and the date of marriage.
