How to Get Married Quickly in Australia (Even in Less Than One Month)
So, you’re ready to tie the knot - but your timeline is tight. Maybe you’re about to move overseas, have family or medical circumstances, or simply don’t want to wait months to say “I do.”
Whatever the reason, you’re asking: Can we get married quickly in Australia - even in less than one month?
The short answer is yes!
If you meet certain legal requirements, you can have a quick wedding in Melbourne - sometimes in as little as one to two business days. Here’s everything you need to know about how to plan your fast, legal wedding in Victoria (and how our team can help you make it stress-free).
Why Is There Normally a One-Month Waiting Period?
In Australia, couples must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least one month before the ceremony.
However, there are limited circumstances where the waiting period can be shortened - known as a shortening of time.
The five legal reasons for shortening the one-month notice are:
Employment or travel commitments - for example, relocating overseas or needing to be married for an OVERSEAS visa application. THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR AUSTRALIAN VISA APPLICATIONS.
Medical reasons - such as a serious illness (terminal) affecting one partner or a close family member or guest.
Pre-planned wedding arrangements - where bookings have been made before realising the NOIM timing rule.
Legal or court commitments - such as an upcoming incarceration or court-ordered obligations.
Celebrant error - if your celebrant makes a genuine administrative mistake (thankfully rare!).
Note: Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Victoria will not approve a shortening for reasons such as pregnancy or general visa applications.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, our experienced celebrants can guide you through the process and advise what evidence is needed to support your request.
Step 1: File Your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
The first and most important step is lodging your NOIM form with your authorised celebrant - that’s us!
You can complete it online and email it to us, and one or both of you must sign it in front of an authorised witness (such as a celebrant, doctor, lawyer, Justice of the Peace or police officer).
You’ll need to include:
Full names and addresses
Date and place of birth
Legal marital status (single, divorced, or widowed)
Tip: If you want to get married fast, submit your NOIM immediately. The one-month countdown begins as soon as your celebrant receives it.
Step 2: Choose Your Wedding Package and Date
Once the NOIM is lodged and processed, it’s time to book your preferred wedding date.
At Registry Weddings, we offer simple, stress-free registry-style weddings that allow you to marry on short notice. Our team is here to help you pick a date that works — even if it’s only a few days away!
Step 3: Prepare your legal documents
Before your big day, you’ll need to prepare a few key documents:
Proof of identity (passport or birth certificate)
Divorce decree absolute or death certificate (if previously married)
Having these ready early helps avoid any last-minute issues. If you’re unsure about documentation, our celebrants can help confirm exactly what’s required.
For more details, check out our related post: Do You Need Witnesses to Get Married in Australia?
Step 4: Your Wedding Day!
Once your documents are ready and your NOIM is approved, it’s time to celebrate! Your wedding can be as small or as personal as you like - from just the two of you and two witnesses, to a handful of loved ones.
If you don’t have witnesses available, we can provide them for you at your ceremony. Your celebrant will ensure everything runs smoothly, legally, and beautifully - so all you need to do is show up, exchange vows, and enjoy the moment.
The Quickest Way to Get Married in Melbourne
If you need to get married fast, here’s the process in short:
Lodge your NOIM right away.
Gather your documents.
Apply for a shortening of time with your supporting evidence.
Book your ceremony with your celebrant.
Celebrate your wedding day - legally and stress-free.
Ready to Plan Your Quick Wedding in Melbourne?
Don’t let timing or logistics stop you from saying “I do.” If you meet the criteria, you can legally marry in less than one month - and we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Contact our team to discuss your situation, or book your wedding date now. We make getting married in Melbourne fast, simple, and beautiful - no long waits, no stress, just love.