Celebrancy changes: Official certificates from BDM

Rose Training talks celebrancy changes. 

Did you know that Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) have recently changed their policy for issuing official certificates to couples?

Our Celebrancy trainer, Karen Rose, took a look at what the changes mean for you.

A recently published report from the Australian Crime Commission – Organised Crime in Australia 2015, refers to identity crime as one of the most prevalent and pervasive crimes facing Australians today.

As the central agency for the creation and release of primary identity documentation, BDM believe themselves to be a high value target for the individuals who engage in this form of criminal activity.

As a result, BDM conducted a risk assessment process, which has identified the practice of celebrants applying for the certificates on behalf of their clients as a potential weakness. The fear is that a criminal intent on facilitating identity fraud would only need to obtain or assume a celebrant authorisation number to fraudulently register a marriage and obtain a certificate.
As a result, celebrants wishing to apply for certificates on behalf of their clients will now be required to submit the following documentation:

• A completed current certificate application form
• Three forms of the Celebrant’s POI (JP certified)
• A Letter of Authority signed by either the bride or groom, and
• One form of POI with a signature (JP certified) from the bride or groom.

From a celebrant’s perspective, this places an extra burden on the celebrant, and cancels out any benefit to the client, as they will still need to provide JP certified documents to the celebrant.
BDM advise that it is their preference that couples be advised to order their own Marriage certificates. Clients should be referred to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages website to obtain forms and further information www.qld.gov.au/bdm

If you want to know more about becoming a celebrant, call us up on 3038 3048 or talk to Jessica on LiveChat! We’d love to hear from you!