Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM): what it is and how to lodge it
The Notice of Intended Marriage, or NOIM, is the first legal step for every wedding in Australia. It's a short Commonwealth form that tells your celebrant you plan to marry, and it has to be lodged at least one month before your wedding.
Your NOIM is included in every package with us, from $295, so there's nothing extra to pay. When you book, we send you the form, witness your signatures on a quick video call and lodge it for you.
What is a Notice of Intended Marriage?
The NOIM is a form set by the Australian Government under the Marriage Act 1961. The same form is used in every state and territory, for civil and religious weddings. You may also see it called a notice of intention to marry or an intent to marry form.
You give the completed form to your authorised marriage celebrant. Without a valid NOIM lodged in time, a marriage can't legally go ahead.
You don't need to be an Australian citizen or resident to marry here. Couples on visitor or temporary visas can marry in Australia too, as long as the legal requirements are met.
When to lodge your NOIM
Your NOIM must reach your celebrant at least one calendar month before the wedding, and no more than 18 months before. A NOIM we receive on 15 November means you can marry from 15 December.
The one-month wait starts the day we receive your completed form, so lodge it as early as you can. You don't need to have chosen a wedding date to start. Contact us and we'll send you the form.
How it works with us
- Book your date. Choose a date in our live calendar. You don't need to pay to hold it.
- Complete your NOIM online. We email you a secure online NOIM form to fill in at a time that suits you. Each of you gives your full legal name, date and place of birth, address, parents' names and whether you've been married before.
- Sign it on a short video call. We witness your signatures and check your ID over Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp, seven days a week.
- Email us copies of your documents. Clear photos are fine and they don't need to be certified. If you're still gathering something, you can send it any time before the wedding.
- Bring photo ID on the day. Before the ceremony you each sign a short declaration confirming there's no legal reason you can't marry. After the wedding, we register your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
Prefer a paper form? Download the NOIM here, print it out, and sign it with us on a video call or in front of an authorised witness, such as a Justice of the Peace, lawyer, doctor or police officer.
Documents you'll need
Email clear photos of each document to info@registryweddings.com.au. You don't need to bring your passports or certificates on the day, just photo ID such as your driver licence. If you've changed your name, send us proof of the change as well.
If one of you is overseas
If your partner won't arrive until closer to the wedding, one of you can sign first. That starts the one-month wait while you wait for them to arrive, and they sign once they're here.
A NOIM can also be signed outside Australia in front of an Australian diplomatic or consular officer, or a notary public, and then sent to us.
Applying for a Prospective Marriage visa? We can provide the celebrant letter for your fiancé visa application.
Less than a month to go?
The one-month notice period can be shortened in some situations. This is called a shortening of time. It's approved by a prescribed authority, usually an officer at a court or Births, Deaths and Marriages, and only for set reasons such as medical needs, travel or legal matters. Applying for a visa isn't one of them.
A shortening of time isn't guaranteed, so lodge your NOIM as early as you can. If you qualify, we apply on your behalf. Read about getting married in less than a month.
Included in every package
There's no separate fee for your NOIM. Preparing, witnessing and lodging it is included in every package, along with the celebrant and all the legal work. Ceremonies start at $295 Monday to Thursday. See ceremony pricing.
Questions about the NOIM
Does the NOIM cost extra?
Where do I get the NOIM form?
Can I lodge a NOIM before choosing a wedding date?
How long is a NOIM valid?
Do we need to sign the NOIM in person?
Is an expired passport OK?
Do we need to bring our documents on the wedding day?
Which name should I use?
Can I fix a mistake on the form?
Is the NOIM the same as a marriage certificate?
Do I need to be an Australian citizen to get married in Australia?
We're here to help
We help couples with their NOIM every day. We check your documents, witness your signatures and make sure everything is ready in time, all as part of your package.
The Ivory Room
