Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) in Canberra

The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is the legal document required before any marriage in Australia can take place. It must be completed and lodged with your celebrant at least one month before your intended marriage date, and it can be given up to 18 months before the marriage.

If you are ready to complete or download your NOIM, use NOIM Easy.

Key Information

• Must be lodged at least one month before your marriage
• Valid for 18 months from the date it is received by your celebrant
• Must be completed accurately
• Can be completed electronically or by hand
• Must be signed in front of an authorised witness
• Original supporting evidence still needs to be sighted

Important 2024 Update

The Attorney-General’s Department now allows couples to have their NOIM witnessed remotely by audio-visual link as well as in person, provided the legal requirements for remote witnessing are followed.

That means a Canberra couple may be able to deal with the witnessing step more flexibly, but the marriage itself still has to happen in person with the celebrant and two witnesses physically present.

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 is 1 February
• if you want to marry on 15 March, the NOIM needs to be received no later than 15 February
• if the dates fall across shorter months, the rule is still one calendar month, not a flat 30 days

In exceptional circumstances, the notice period may be shortened by a prescribed authority. See shortening of time.

What Information Goes on the NOIM

The form asks for details such as:

• your full legal names
• your current addresses
• your date and place of birth
• your conjugal status
• your parents’ names
• evidence supporting any change of name

Accuracy matters. If a detail is wrong, it can slow down the process or create problems later.

Supporting Documentation Needed

You must provide your celebrant with:

1. Evidence of date and place of birth

   • a birth certificate, or
   • a current passport

2. Evidence of identity

   • a driver licence, passport, proof of age card, or other recognised photo ID

3. If previously married

   • a divorce order, or
   • a death certificate of the former spouse

If your name differs from your birth record, you must also provide evidence of the change.

Who Can Witness the NOIM?

If signing in Australia, the NOIM may be witnessed by people such as:

• an authorised marriage celebrant
• a justice of the peace
• a barrister or solicitor
• a legally qualified medical practitioner
• a member of the Australian Federal Police or state or territory police

If signing overseas, it may be witnessed by people such as:

• an Australian Consular Officer
• an Australian Diplomatic Officer
• a notary public
• an employee of the Australian Trade Commission

Overseas and Non-English Documents

If your documents are not in English:

• they need to be translated into English
• the original documents still need to be provided
• your celebrant may need to see both the original and translated versions

If one of you is overseas, the NOIM can still usually be arranged without delaying everything, as long as the witnessing requirements are followed and the celebrant has the necessary information.

Need Help With the NOIM?

Common areas where couples need help include:

• understanding what evidence is acceptable
• confirming the correct legal name to use
• dealing with divorce or death records
• managing overseas signing
• understanding whether a shortening is realistic

Related guides:

• Marriage requirements
• One Month Notice guide
• Get Married Quickly in Canberra
• Contact the Canberra Marriage Office

Remember: providing false information on a NOIM is a serious matter. The form needs to be accurate and true.