How to Lodge Your NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage) and Get Married Legally in Australia

If you are planning a wedding in Australia, one of the first legal requirements you’ll need to complete is the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). It doesn’t matter whether you are planning a large wedding, intimate elopement or a very simple registry style ceremony, lodging a NOIM is mandatory before you can legally marry. In this guide, I’ll explain what a Notice of Intended Marriage is, when it needs to be lodged, who can witness it, what identification you’ll need and what happens if you are running short on time.

What Is a Notice of Intended Marriage in Australia?

The Marriage Act 1961 requires that a marriage shall not be solemnised unless certain personal information is provided in writing. This information is required in two forms: the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) and the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage.

Every couple marrying in Australia must complete and lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM), and it is the first legal piece of legal marriage paperwork required under Australian marriage laws. 

The personal information you’ll provide is your full name, address, place and date of birth, current marital status (never validly married, divorced, widowed or waiting for a divorce) and your parents full names and country of birth. If you have previously been married, the date of the end of those marriages is also required.

How Long Before Your Wedding Should You Submit a NOIM?

Your signed and witnessed NOIM must be submitted to your celebrant at least one calendar month before your marriage, and no more than eighteen months prior. There are a few exceptional circumstances where the one-month period can be shortened – see further down.

My advice is to start the lodgement process earlier rather than last minute, to allow time to locate or replace lost identification documents and sort out any other unforeseen hitches.

Who Can Witness a Notice of Intended Marriage?

In Australia, only the following can witness a Notice of Intended Marriage;

Authorised Celebrant

GP

Solicitor

Justice of the Peace

Police Officer

No other occupations are authorised to witness a NOIM.

If you are overseas and require your NOIM to be witnessed, then you’ll need to see an Australian Consular Officer, an Australian Diplomatic Officer, a notary public, an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under paragraph 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955, or an employee of the Australian Trade Commission.

What Documents Do You Need for a Notice of Intended Marriage?

Proof of date and place of birth, and photo identification is required. A passport provides all this. Expired passports can be used as identification, providing you still look the same. If you don’t have a passport, then your birth certificate, or an extract, together with a driver's license will do the job.

If you are missing one or more of these documents, talk to your celebrant about how to apply for a replacement, or your other options if this is not possible.

Can You Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage Online?

Much of the process can be completed online, but there are requirements for witnessing and document verification. If you are in Australia, then your celebrant can witness your signatures via a live video link, and you can then upload the scanned NOIM, together with supporting documents (e.g. passports) to your celebrant. 

Can You Get Married before the One-Month Waiting Period

There are only five circumstances in which the one-month period may be shortened. The shortening is granted by a prescribed authority – not your celebrant, but your celebrant will work with you.

The five circumstances in which an application for shortening of time may be considered by a prescribed authority are:

1. employment-related or other travel commitments

2. wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious      considerations

3. medical reasons

4. legal proceedings, or

5. an error in giving notice.

Expanding with examples on these circumstances:

1. You have booked and paid for flights for yourself or a close family member to attend, and the booking cannot be changed.

2. You have booked and paid for a venue or other wedding vendors and the date is unable to be changed.

3. You or a close family member has a terminal illness.

4. You have been sentenced to a long prison term.

5. Your celebrant has made an error, resulting in your NOIM not being lodged in time.

Lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage in Perth

If you’re getting married in Perth, or elsewhere in Western Australia, your celebrant can help you complete and lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage. At RPPR Weddings and Celebrant in Style, I can witness your NOIM via a video call, or in person, and will guide you through the entire process, making the legal paperwork simple and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NOIM

Do both of us need to be present when signing the NOIM?

No, you can each sign separately, if each signature is witnessed and dated.

Can I lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage without a passport?

Yes, you can. Your birth certificate and photo ID card (Driver’s licence or similar) provide the necessary information.

What if I lose my birth certificate?

If you were born in Australia, apply for a replacement through Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in which you were born.

How much does a Notice of Intended Marriage cost?

Like most celebrants, the cost for lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage is built into my fees. There is no additional cost.

Can a NOIM expire?

A Notice of Intended Marriage expires eighteen months after it has been lodged with the celebrant.

What happens is my NOIM expires before my wedding?

A new NOIM will need to be lodged at least one month before your wedding.

Can same-sex couples lodge a NOIM?

Of course. Same-sex marriage is legal in Australia.

Can I lodge a NOIM before booking a wedding venue?

Yes, you don’t need to have a location, or even a date locked in when you lodge your NOIM.

What happens if we make a mistake on the form?

Don’t panic, the Notice of Intended Marriage can be amended. You may need to initial the correction. Your celebrant will let you know.

What if we need to get married in less than one month?

Under exceptional circumstances, a shortening of the one-month period may be granted by a prescribed authority. 

Can we change our wedding date after lodging the NOIM?

Yes, as long as the new date is at least one month and no more than eighteen months after the NOIM was lodged.

What if one of us is overseas?

 The NOIM can be lodged with the signature of only one party. 

Do we need a new NOIM if we change celebrants?

No, a NOIM can be transferred from celebrant to celebrant at your request.

Is lodging a NOIM the same as registering our marriage?

No, your marriage is not registered until after your wedding and your celebrant has transferred your legal documents to Births, Deaths and Marriage for registration.

Can we legally get married on the same day as we lodge the NOIM?

In most cases, no, unless you qualify for a shortening of time.

What happens after we lodge the NOIM? 

Your celebrant will cross check the information provided on the NOIM against your identification and other supporting documents. You can concentrate on the more fun side of getting married!

How early should we lodge our NOIM?

My advice is to lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage as soon as your booking is confirmed with your celebrant.