When the registrar is satisfied there is no legal impediment to the marriage, a marriage schedule will be prepared from the information you have given.  The marriage schedule is a most important document – no marriage can proceed without it.

If you are having a religious marriage the registrar will issue the marriage schedule to you.  The registrar cannot issue the schedule more than seven days before the marriage and you will be advised when to collect it.  The schedule cannot be collected on your behalf by a relative or friend – the registrar will issue it only to the prospective bride or groom.  You will be asked to sign for the marriage schedule.

The marriage schedule must be produced before the marriage ceremony to the person solemnising the marriage – a celebrant cannot perform the marriage ceremony without the schedule.

Immediately after the ceremony the schedule must be signed by the bride and groom, by the person solemnising the marriage and by the two witnesses.  (Witnesses must be 16 years of age or over).

After the ceremony the marriage schedule must be returned to the registrar within three days so that the marriage can be registered.  The marriage schedule can be returned by a relative or friend of the bride or groom.

If you are having a civil marriage a marriage schedule will not be issued to you.  The registrar will have it available at the marriage ceremony for signature and will subsequently register the marriage.