Ceremonies and certificates
Couples entering a Tasmanian Deed of Relationship now have the option of an official relationship ceremony.
In November 2009 the Tasmanian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages changed its procedures to allow a couple to bring their Deed of Relationship into effect by signing their relationship certificate in a ceremony presided over by a marriage celebrant.
This provides same-sex and other couples with a way to have that 'special day', on which they officially declare and affirm their relationship in front of friends and family members
This is how it works.
When a couple applies to enter a Deed of Relationship they are able to nominate anyone, including a marriage celebrant, to officially receive their relationship certificate on their behalf and confer it on them at a ceremony that involves the celebrant, the partners and their witnesses signing the certificate to begin the new legal relationship.
The date on which the ceremonial signing takes place will be the date on which the relationship is officially registered at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and from which the new legal relationship commences.
In other developments coinciding with the new official ceremonies, couples now have the choice of a range of commemorative relationship certificates to be signed as part of their ceremony. Also, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has published fact sheets explaining the benefits of Deeds of Relationships and tackling the myths which have grown up around them.
Couples will continue to have the option of receiving a commemorative certificate without a ceremony, or having neither a commemorative certificate or a ceremony.
For more on ceremonies click here...
For more on certificates click here...
The following Tasmanian civil marriage celebrants have had professional development in both
Deed of Relationship ceremonies and same-sex commitment ceremonies.click here
