Notice of Intended Marriage | What It Is and When You Need It
Your complete guide to the NOIM – Australia's most important wedding form.
If you're planning to get married in Australia, you'll need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage – commonly called a NOIM (pronounced "noym"). It's one of the most important legal requirements, and you can't get married without it.
But what exactly is it? When do you need it? And what happens if you mess it up?
As a marriage celebrant in Toowoomba, I help couples navigate this process every day. Let me break it down for you in a way that actually makes sense.
WHAT IS A NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE (NOIM)?
The Notice of Intended Marriage is an official government form that declares your intention to get married. Think of it as your "application to get married."
It's a legal requirement under Australian law. Without a completed and properly lodged NOIM, you cannot legally marry in Australia.
Why Does It Exist?
The NOIM exists to:
- Give the government notice of your intention to marry (hence the name!)
- Ensure both parties are legally eligible to marry
- Allow time for any legal impediments to be identified (like if one person is already married)
- Provide a cooling-off period to ensure both parties are certain
The one-month waiting period is designed to prevent impulsive marriages and give people time to reconsider if needed.
When Do You Need to Lodge Your NOIM?
The Rule:
Your NOIM must be lodged at least one month and one day before your wedding date.
Let's break that down:
- If your wedding is on May 20th, your NOIM must be lodged by April 19th at the latest
- If your wedding is on December 1st, your NOIM must be lodged by October 31st at the latest
When Should You Actually Lodge It?
While the legal minimum is one month, I recommend lodging your NOIM 2-6 months before your wedding. Here's why:
✓ Less stress – You're not cutting it close to the deadline
✓ Time to fix errors – If there's a mistake, you have time to correct it
✓ Document issues – If you need to order documents (like an overseas birth certificate), you have buffer time
✓ Peace of mind – One less thing to worry about as your wedding approaches
How Long Is It Valid?
Once lodged, your NOIM is valid for 18 months.
This means:
- You can lodge it well in advance without it expiring
- If you need to postpone your wedding (within 18 months), your NOIM is still valid
- If you don't marry within 18 months, you'll need to complete a new NOIM
Where Do You Lodge Your NOIM?
You lodge your NOIM with your celebrant – not with the government directly.
How It Works:
- You book your celebrant (hopefully me!)
- We arrange a meeting (in person, video call, or in some cases remotely)
- We complete the NOIM together – I'll guide you through every question
- You sign it in my presence (or in some cases, in front of another authoriSed person)
- I lodge it and keep it on file
- Done! You'll receive a copy for your records
Can You Lodge It Yourself?
No. The NOIM must be completed and witnessed by an authoriSed person, which includes:
- Your marriage celebrant
- A Justice of the Peace
- A Commissioner for Declarations
- A lawyer
- Other authorised officials
Most couples complete it with their celebrant because it's convenient and we can answer questions on the spot.
What Information Is on the NOIM?
The NOIM asks for information about both parties. Here's what you'll need to provide:
Personal Details:
- Full legal names (as they appear on your birth certificate)
- Any other names you've been known by
- Dates of birth
- Places of birth
- Current residential addresses
- Occupations
- Relationship to each other (if any – e.g., if you're related by blood)
Parents' Details:
- Full names of both your parents
- Their dates and places of birth (if known)
Marriage History:
- Whether you've been married before
- If yes, how that marriage ended (divorce, death, annulment)
- Details of previous marriages
Your Ceremony:
- Your intended wedding date
- Location of ceremony
- Details of your celebrant
Under 18?
If either party is under 18, additional information is required (parental consent, court approval)
What Documents Do You Need to Bring?
When you meet with your celebrant to complete your NOIM, you must provide:
Evidence of Date and Place of Birth:
One of the following:
- Birth certificate (full, not commemorative)
- Passport (current or expired)
- Citizenship certificate (if born overseas)
Photo ID:
- One of the following:
- Driver's licence
- Passport
- Proof of Age card
If Previously Married:
- Divorce papers (Decree Absolute/Divorce Order)
- OR Death certificate of former spouse
If Born Overseas:
- Birth certificate from country of birth
- NAATI-certified translation (if not in English)
Pro tip: Make copies of everything. Your celebrant will need to see the originals and may keep copies for their records.
The NOIM Process Step-by-Step
Here's exactly what happens:
Step 1: Book Your Celebrant
Choose your celebrant and confirm your wedding date. This should be one of your first bookings!
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Collect all required documents (birth certificate, ID, divorce papers if applicable, etc.)
Step 3: Schedule Your NOIM Meeting
Your celebrant will arrange a time to complete the NOIM with you. This can be:
- In person (most common)
- Via video call (in some circumstances)
- With documents verified remotely (less common)
Step 4: Complete the NOIM
At your meeting:
- Your celebrant will go through the form with you
- They'll explain each question
- You'll provide your information
- You'll both sign it in their presence
- Your celebrant will verify your documents
- This usually takes 30-45 minutes.
Step 5: Your Celebrant Lodges It
Your celebrant will:
- Keep the original NOIM on file
- Give you a copy for your records
- Note the date it was lodged
Step 6: Wait One Month
The one-month waiting period begins from the date your NOIM is lodged, not the date of your meeting.
Step 7: Get Married!
Once the one-month period has passed, you can legally marry anytime within the next 18 months.
What Happens If You Miss the One-Month Deadline?
If your wedding is less than one month away and you haven't lodged your NOIM, you cannot legally get married on your planned date.
Your Options:
Option 1: Postpone Your Wedding The simplest solution is to move your wedding date to at least one month after you lodge your NOIM.
Option 2: Apply for a Shortening of Time In exceptional circumstances, you can apply to have the one-month notice period shortened. However, this is:
- Rarely granted
- Requires special permission from a prescribed authority (like a judge or registrar)
- Only for exceptional circumstances such as:
- Serious illness or medical emergency
- Imminent overseas deployment (military)
- Other compassionate grounds
Important: "We forgot" or "we've already booked the venue" are NOT considered exceptional circumstances. Don't rely on this option!
Option 3: Have a Commitment Ceremony If you can't legally marry on your planned date, you could:
- Have a commitment ceremony (like a wedding, but not legally binding)
- Then do the legal paperwork and a small ceremony later
Read more about rush weddings here → Can We Get Married in Less Than a Month | Rush Wedding Guide.
The Lesson:
Don't leave your NOIM to the last minute! Lodge it 2-6 months before your wedding to avoid stress.
Common NOIM Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
❌ Mistake #1: Leaving It Too Late
Solution: Lodge your NOIM at least 2 months before your wedding, not 1 month.
❌ Mistake #2: Spelling Errors
Your name must match your birth certificate exactly. "Katherine" vs "Catherine" matters!
Solution: Double-check spelling before signing.
❌ Mistake #3: Missing Documents
Showing up without your birth certificate or ID means you can't complete the NOIM.
Solution: Confirm with your celebrant what you need to bring.
❌ Mistake #4: Using a Commemorative Birth Certificate
The decorative birth certificate you got as a baby won't work – you need the official one.
Solution: Order your full birth certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages if needed.
❌ Mistake #5: No Translation
If your birth certificate isn't in English, you need a NAATI-certified translation.
Solution: Arrange translation early – it can take weeks.
❌ Mistake #6: Incomplete Divorce Documents
If you're divorced, your celebrant needs proof. "It's in process" doesn't count.
Solution: Ensure your divorce is finalised before your wedding date.
❌ Mistake #7: Not Knowing Parents' Details
The NOIM asks for your parents' full names and dates/places of birth.
Solution: Ask your parents before your meeting!
What If You Need to Change Details After Lodging?
If something changes after you've lodged your NOIM (like your address or wedding date), you need to tell your celebrant.
Minor changes (like address) can usually be noted on the form.
Major changes (like changing who you're marrying – hopefully not!) require a new NOIM.
If you postpone your wedding but it's still within 18 months, your existing NOIM is still valid. Just confirm the new date with your celebrant.
NOIM and Your Privacy
Your NOIM contains personal information. Here's what happens to it:
✓
Your celebrant keeps it securely on file for 7 years (legal requirement)
✓ It's not published anywhere
✓
It's not given to the government until after your wedding
✓
Your private information stays private
After your wedding, your celebrant will lodge your marriage certificate with Births, Deaths and Marriages, but your NOIM itself stays with them.
- COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT your notice of intended marriage
Can we lodge our NOIM online?
No. The NOIM must be completed and signed in the presence of an authorised person (like your celebrant). It can't be done entirely online.
Do we both need to be there when we lodge it?
Yes, ideally both of you should be present. In some exceptional circumstances, alternative arrangements can be made, but this is rare.
Speak to your celebrant.
What if one of us is overseas?
This complicates things.
Speak to your celebrant about options, which might include having the NOIM witnessed by an authorised person overseas (like at an Australian embassy).
Can we lodge it with any celebrant, then use a different one for our wedding?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended.
Most celebrants prefer to lodge the NOIM with their own couples.
If you change celebrants after lodging, the new celebrant will need a copy of your NOIM.
Does lodging the NOIM cost money?
Your celebrant doesn't charge separately for the NOIM – it's included in your ceremony package.
However, you may need to pay to obtain documents (like ordering a new birth certificate).
HOW I MAKE THE NOIM PROCESS EASY
When you book me as your celebrant, here's what you can expect:
✓ Clear instructions – I'll tell you exactly what to bring and when
✓ Flexible meeting options – In person in Toowoomba, or video call if needed
✓ Guidance through every question – I'll explain what each section means
✓ Document review – I'll check everything is correct before we lodge
✓ Copies for your records – You'll receive a copy of your completed NOIM
✓ Timeline reminders – I'll make sure you're on track
You don't need to stress about the paperwork – I've got you!
READY TO GET STARTED
If you're planning a wedding in Toowoomba or South West Queensland and need a celebrant who'll make the legal stuff simple, I'd love to help.
Get in touch:
Email: hello@theshelleybrant.com.au
Phone: 0458 748 969
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