The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is a legal document that any couple getting married in Australia must lodge no later than one month before the wedding date.

The Notice of Intended Marriage sounds official and a little daunting, but don't worry, you don't need to figure it all out yourself. I'll guide you through exactly what you need, check your documents, and make sure everything is in order before your wedding day.

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The fee for lodgment of the Notice of Intended Marriage is *$190, or if a ceremony is booked, it is included in the package you choose. 

 

Follow the steps below if you have downloaded the NOIM (see link above).

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Step 1  Download the NOIM for your Marriage Application from this link. (Alternatively call or email Anne and the instructions to lodge the NOIM online will be sent to you.) 

Step 2  Fill out the form online then print the NOIM.

Step 3  Have the NOIM witnessed by a Doctor (GP), Lawyer, Justice of the Peace or Police Officer, or by appointment at the Celebrant's office.

Step 4  Provide Identification Documents i.e. Passport or Birth Certificate and Driver's Licence, and show documents for previous marriage if applicable. 

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The date the witnessed and signed NOIM, and your documentation is received is the date that the NOIM is lodged and the one (1) month waiting period begins. The NOIM remains valid for 18 months.

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LETTER FOR VISA APPLICATIONS  $25

If you are in the process of a Visa Application and require a letter stating the NOIM has been lodged and a date for your marriage has been booked, let me know, and I'll write it. The fee payable is $25.  

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What exactly is a Notice of Intended Marriage?

• The NOIM is the legal notice that starts the paperwork process not their marriage application or marriage certificate.

Signing the NOIM

• ​If one party to the marriage is not able to sign the NOIM, the other party can sign and lodge the NOIM on their behalf.

• The other party must sign the NOIM before the marriage ceremony can take place.

How do we sign the NOIM if we're overseas?

• You can fill out the NOIM then you must take it to a Public Notary in your country to have it witnessed. The witnessed NOIM is then sent to your celebrant in Australia.

• An Australian celebrant cannot witness the NOIM when the couple is overseas.

Who can witness the NOIM?

• The NOIM can be witnessed by an Authorised Marriage Celebrant, Doctor, Lawyer, Justice of the Peace, or Police Officer. 

• Celebrants can witness the signing remotely by video call.

• If you are living overseas the NOIM must be witnessed and stamped by a Public Notary in your country. The date the NOIM (scanned and emailed) is received by the Celebrant, is the date of lodgement, and the one month waiting period begins.

• If your partner is overseas, you can lodge the NOIM on their behalf.

Who can marry in Australia?

• Anyone over the age of 18 can marry in Australia, irrespective of their nationality or their partner's nationality.

• Couples are not required to be Australian Citizens or have Permanent Residency in order to legally marry in Australia.

What identification is needed?

• You are each required to provide proof of your place of birth and identity.

• An Australian or Overseas Passport will do both of these. Alternatively a Birth Certificate and Driver's Licence can be used. There are other options that can be provided on request.

• If you have been married before, you must provide documents that show how and when the marriage ended, for example divorce, annulment, or death of a partner. 

• If you have changed your name, the certificate must be provided.

What if we don't have a Birth Certificate?

• An Australian or Overseas Passport can be used on its own.

How soon can we be married?

• There is a one month waiting period from the date the NOIM is lodged with the Celebrant.  

• In certain circumstances, a Shortening of Time may be granted by the Registrar of Births Deaths Marriages. A fee is payable for the application.

We're overseas, can we complete the NOIM before we come to Australia?

• The answer is yes. You can fill out the NOIM then take it to a Public Notary in your country to have it witnessed. The witnessed NOIM is then sent to your celebrant in Australia.

​​What if my previous marriage hasn't officially ended yet?

• The NOIM can be lodged, and the Celebrant will indicate 'divorce pending'. Once the divorce has been granted, a copy should be sent to the Celebrant, who will update the NOIM.

What if my former spouse has died? What evidence do I need?

• The key issue is that the previous marriage must have legally ended before the new marriage takes place. A death certificate must be shown to the Celebrant.

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