The Federal Government has announced it will be allowing same-sex couples to apply for Certificates of No impediments to allow them to marry overseas.

 

“This important change will allow same-sex couples to take part in overseas marriage ceremonies, and be considered married according to the laws of that country,” Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said.

 

Some foreign countries require foreign nationals to present a Certificate of No Impediment before they are able to legally marry in that country.

 

These certificates confirm there is no impediment to a person taking part in a marriage ceremony overseas and considers issues such as whether the person is over 18 or are already married.

 

“This change means the certificates, which were previously only available to heterosexual couples, will now also be available to same-sex couples.

 

However, same-sex marriages will not be recognised as an official marriage in Australia, but may be used as evidence of a de facto relationship for the purposes of Commonwealth, State and Territory laws.

 

Couples seeking to marry overseas can find information about applying for a Certificate of No Impediment to marriage atwww.smartraveller.gov.au from 1 February 2012.