Marrying a divorcee...forms HELP

**ladybird11** · May 31st, 2009, 03:03 PM

Hey,

Just a quick question.

DF and I are going to have a 'shotgun' wedding lol - and he's been previously mairred. He has only been issued a 'Certificate of Divorce' - but every website I've looked at for Marriage celebrants state that they must view a 'Decree Nisi Absolute'.

Is the certificate of divorce and decree nisi absolute the same thing??? I've looked at all different websites, including the Births, Deaths and Marriages website and Family Courts website and can't find anything about whether they are one and the same or otherwise.

Thanks!

**entreat** · May 31st, 2009, 03:24 PM

I married a devorcee, and although ours wasn't a shotgun wedding, we used the divorce certificate that was issued from the court. I assume your hubby-to-be got his from the court too?

If I was that way inclined, I'd call DH ex wife & ask her - she was married again only a few months after the divorce went through. Then she had the audacity to grill DH when our engagement was announced in an article in the local news paper... and she'd already been married for nearly a year then!! clown.

I can ask my celebrant if you like? I'm friends with her on FB. She was freaking awesome.

**entreat** · May 31st, 2009, 03:33 PM

just found this:

If Previously Married
The Celebrant must sight details of the termination of any previous marriage prior to the intended Marriage taking place.

If a party has been divorced, the Celebrant must sight the court papers showing the Decree Absolute, or the Certificate of Divorce.
If widowed, the Celebrant must sight the Death Certificate, (or in the case of a missing person presumed dead, a coroner?s or police report.)
If a marriage has been annulled, the Celebrant must sight the annulment papers
If the documentation is not in English the onus is on the couple to provide written translation by an approved interpreter.

Divorce Documents:
A divorce is granted in two steps in Australia. The Decree Nisi is granted first, followed by the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce one month later.

A Notice of Intended Marriage can be lodged with a Celebrant in the 12 months separation period, but the Marriage Ceremony cannot proceed until a Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce is produced to the Celebrant.

In certain circumstances, it may be possible to make application to the Family Court to shorten the period of time between the Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute.
Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants Inc

**Arimeh** · May 31st, 2009, 04:01 PM

The certificate of divorce is issued once the decree becomes absolute.

HTH.

**AwesomeFoursome** · May 31st, 2009, 04:09 PM

My dh had been divorced, we got married 4 weeks ago. Yes all you need is the certificate of divorce.

**ladybird11** · May 31st, 2009, 05:30 PM

Thanks girls - nowhere in the websites I had looked at mentioned anything about the certificate of divorce - but it looks like that is all we need then!! Yay!

Thanks again :-)