Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

What is a Notice of Intended Marriage?

The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is a legal document required under Australian law. It must be completed and lodged with your celebrant at least one month before your intended marriage date. The notice can be given up to 18 months before your planned marriage date.

Key Information

• Must be lodged at least one month before your marriage with your celebrant
• Valid for 18 months from the date of lodgement
• Must be completed accurately with no errors
• Can be completed electronically/digitally or by hand in BLOCK LETTERS
• Must be signed in the presence of a qualified witness
• Original documentation required to support all details

When to Lodge Your NOIM

The one-month notice period starts on the day your celebrant receives your completed and signed NOIM. For example:

• If lodged on 1 January, the earliest marriage date possible is 1 February
• If you want to marry on 15 March, you must lodge your NOIM by 14 February at the latest
• If you lodge a notice with your celebrant on January 31 on a leap year you can marry on February 29, or on a regular year, February 28.

Note: In exceptional circumstances, this notice period may be shortened by applying to a prescribed authority. Additional fees apply.

How to Complete Your NOIM

Personal Details Required

• Full legal names
• Current address
• Date and place of birth
• Conjugal status (never married, divorced, widowed)
• Parent details (current names and birth names)
• Optional: Gender identity (you can choose to identify as female, male, or non-binary)

Supporting Documentation Needed

You must provide your celebrant with:

1. Proof of date and place of birth:

   • Birth certificate (original or certified copy), OR
   • Current passport

2. Proof of identity:

   • Current driver licence
   • Proof of age card
   • Passport
   • Other official photo ID

3. If previously married:

   • Divorce certificate, OR
   • Death certificate of previous spouse

Important Notes About Names

• Names must match your birth certificate exactly
• If your name differs from your birth certificate, you must provide evidence of name change:
  • Change of name certificate
  • Marriage certificate (if changed by previous marriage)
  • Deed poll (if changed before BDM registries began issuing change of name certificates)

Witnesses to Signatures

If signing in Australia, your NOIM must be witnessed by:

• An authorised celebrant
• A justice of the peace
• A barrister or solicitor
• A legally qualified medical practitioner
• A member of the Australian Federal Police or state/territory police

If signing overseas, it must be witnessed by:

• An Australian Consular Officer
• An Australian Diplomatic Officer
• A notary public
• An employee of the Australian Trade Commission

Overseas Documentation

If your documents are not in English:

• Must be translated by a NAATI accredited translator
• Both original documents and translations must be provided
• Translations must be certified

Common Questions

Q:Can the NOIM be submitted electronically? A: Yes, you can email a scanned copy to your celebrant, but original documents must be sighted before the marriage.

Q: What if we can’t get all documents in time? A: Discuss with your celebrant. You may need to make a statutory declaration explaining why certain documents are unavailable.

Q: Can the one-month notice period be shortened? A: Yes, in exceptional circumstances. You’ll need to apply to a prescribed authority with valid reasons such as:

• Employment-related travel commitments
• Medical reasons
• Legal proceedings
• Error in giving notice

Need Help?

We’re here to assist you with completing your NOIM correctly. Common areas where people need help include:

• Understanding documentation requirements
• Confirming correct name usage
• Statutory declarations if documents are unavailable
• Translation requirements
• Shortening of time applications

Remember: Providing false information on a NOIM is a criminal offence. All information must be accurate and true.