Getting Married When You
Have a Disability
by
Jennifer
Cram - Brisbane Marriage Celebrant ©
(19/08/2021)
Categories: | Inclusive Weddings | Wedding Legals
|
NO DISABILITY OR DISEASE WILL
PREVENT YOU GETTING LEGALLY MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA
And Yes, I AM shouting that from the rooftops.
Let me say it again.
There is no disability or
disease that will prevent you getting married in
Australia.
The only personal
requirements for marriage
There are three requirements that everyone wishing to
marry in Australia must meet. And only three.
- You must both be at least 18 years old
- You must be free to marry, that is, not married
to any other person or closely related to the
other person by blood or adoption (first cousins
are fine, ancestors, descendants, and siblings are
not)
- You must give real consent, that is, you
understand what marriage is and are marrying of
your own free will and no one is forcing,
coercing, or tricking you into the marriage
Workarounds when you have a
disability
Whatever your disability might be, if necessary, there
are workarounds that will accommodate your needs while
still complying with the requirements of the Marriage
Act. And these include technology assisted methods of
communication.
Regardless of whether your disability is visible or
not, there are ways to accommodate your needs and make
sure that you are confident and comfortable on the day
while meeting all the legal requirements.
For example, while there are historical reasons for
the wedding party to stand (simply that mediaeval
churches often had no seating!), it is not a rule. So
if you need to sit, or even lie down, that's fine.
I firmly believe that being inclusive means being
alert to your individual needs and committed to
working with you to make your wedding work for you.
What about your witnesses?
A requirement for a legal marriage ceremony is that
you must have two adult witnesses present who can, if
need be, later testify that they have witnessed your
marriage taking place.
Workarounds apply for them too!
Related information
Thanks for reading!