Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
The essential legal form you must complete at least one month before your wedding in Australia.
The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is a legal document required by Australian law before any marriage can take place. Both parties must sign this form, and it must be witnessed by an authorised person. Understanding the NOIM requirements is the first step to getting legally married in Australia.
The One Month Rule
Your NOIM must be lodged at least one calendar month before your wedding date. For example, if you want to marry on 15th February, your NOIM must be lodged by 15th January at the latest. The NOIM is valid for 18 months from the date of signing.
What is the NOIM?
The Notice of Intended Marriage is a formal declaration of your intention to marry. It collects information about both parties including:
- Full legal names
- Date and place of birth
- Current addresses and occupations
- Marital status (never married, divorced, or widowed)
- Details of any previous marriages
- Relationship to each other (to confirm no prohibited relationship)
Who Can Witness Your NOIM?
Your NOIM must be witnessed by an authorised person. The options depend on where you are when signing:
In Person (In Australia)
If you are signing the NOIM in person within Australia, it can be witnessed by any of the following:
- - Marriage celebrant (registered Commonwealth celebrant)
- - Justice of the Peace (JP)
- - Lawyer or solicitor
- - Notary public
- - Medical practitioner (must be registered on the AHPRA Register)
- - Police officer
Via Video Call (All Parties in Australia)
Only marriage celebrants can witness a NOIM via video call. Both parties must be physically located in Australia during the video call - this is a legal requirement.
Both parties must be present on the call, but can be in different locations within Australia.
Overseas (Outside Australia)
If you are signing the NOIM from outside Australia, it must be witnessed by one of the following authorised persons:
- - Australian Consular Officer (at an Australian embassy or consulate)
- - Australian Diplomatic Officer
- - Notary Public (in your current country)
- - Authorised employee of the Commonwealth or Australian Trade Commission
Important: A celebrant cannot witness a NOIM via video call if either party is outside Australia. You must use one of the overseas witness options listed above.
How to Lodge Your NOIM
1Option 1: Witness It Elsewhere (Free)
Have your NOIM witnessed by a JP, lawyer, or other authorised person, then upload it to us through our secure system when you book.
This is the most common option and there's no extra charge.
2Option 2: We Witness It For You
Book a NOIM witnessing appointment with us. We'll guide you through the form and witness your signatures.
Fee applies for this service.
Upload Your Signed NOIM
Once your NOIM has been signed and witnessed, you can upload it through our secure online system. This keeps your documents safe and makes the process convenient.
NOIM Timeline
1 calendar month before wedding
18 months from signing date
Lodge 2-3 months ahead to avoid stress