The Notice of Intended Marriage, or NOIM, is the form that starts the legal marriage process in Australia.
If you want the easiest way to fill it out, use NOIM Easy. It walks you through the form step by step and creates a ready-to-print PDF.
When It Must Be Given
The NOIM must be given to your celebrant:
- at least one calendar month before the marriage
- no more than 18 months before the marriage
The one-month period starts when the completed NOIM is given to the celebrant. It does not start when you book or pay.
How to Prepare It
You can:
- fill it out by hand
- prepare it using NOIM Easy
Either way, it needs to be completed carefully and supported by the right documents.
Who Can Witness It
The NOIM must be witnessed by an authorised person.
If you are in Australia, that can include an authorised celebrant, a justice of the peace, a lawyer, a police officer, or certain medical practitioners.
If you are overseas, it can include an Australian diplomatic or consular officer, a notary public, or another authorised overseas witness.
Important Update
The law now allows remote witnessing of the NOIM by audio-visual link when an authorised witness offers that service.
That means the NOIM may sometimes be witnessed remotely, but the marriage itself still has to happen in person.
Do You Both Have to Sign Together?
No.
You can sign:
- together
- separately
- or, in some situations, one signature can start the notice period if the other signature cannot conveniently be obtained at least one month before the marriage
The other person must still sign before the marriage is solemnised.
What Usually Needs to Be Sent With It
Your celebrant will usually need:
- evidence of date and place of birth
- evidence of identity
- proof that any previous marriage has ended
- official translations if documents are not in English
The Easy Version
- complete the form in NOIM Easy
- print it
- have it witnessed by an authorised witness
- send it to us with your supporting documents
Once we receive and check the paperwork, your booking can move forward properly.