 Though marriage in Australia is regulated under federal law, the registration of marriages takes place under the respective state or territory laws, generally through an agency named "Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages" or similar, and marriage certificates are issued by these agencies.Under Federal law, a certificate is issued at the time of marriage by a celebrant, for forwarding to the state or territory registry.A similar (sometimes cut-down) document is often given to the couple on the day of the marriage, it is generally handwritten.