The NOIM, as most people call it, is the most important form that you will fill in with regards to getting your legal wedding plans underway. It is the first piece of information along your paperwork trail to getting legally married in Australia and it will have to be given to your celebrant of choice to start the process.
Let's check out what this NOIM is all about.
Once you’ve found your ‘LOML’ (Love of my Life 😍) and there was a proposal (Congratulations 🥳) and you’ve locked in your venue, it’s time to find the perfect celebrant for your big day. Look no further 😉 Given timings etc work and everyone is on the same page, the next step is to fill in the Notice of Intended Marriage - here is the link to run your eyes over.
We will fill in the NOIM together at our first meeting as I will explain the legalities and we can already get to know each other and talk about your wedding.
If we are unable to meet in person, you can download the form, fill it in and have it witnessed by one of the following authorities before sending it to me. Let’s discuss beforehand.
an authorised Marriage Celebrant
a justice of the peace
a Comissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959
a barrister or solicitor
a legally qualified medical practitioner
a member of the Australin Federal Police or the police force of a Sate or Territory.
If you're overseas and need to get the NOIM witnessed, you will need one of the follwing authorities to witness your signatures:
an Australian Diplomatic Officer
an Australian Consular Officer
a Notary public ( this is the easiest option )
an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under paragraph 3(c) of teh Consular Fees Act 1955
an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under paragraph 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.
You then scan and deliver the NOIM to me, and I will lodge the document. Please give the hard-copy yo me when we meet.
Timings: I must receive the NOIM at least 1 month before the date of your wedding ceremony and no earlier than 18 months. There are circumstances where the date can be shortened, in which case a prescribed authority will need to allow this shortening of time. I can help with this but there is no guarantee.
One person can meet with me and sign, I normally FaceTime the other party as well to introduce myself etc and the overseas party can then sign on arrival as long as it’s before the wedding and I’m satisfied with both parties ID and willingness marry of course. 👍
What I need from you: I will check your passport and drivers licence for Proof of date and Place of birth and, if you have been married before, your valid divorce papers as well please.
The documents that you can use to prove this are:
an offical birth certificate, or an extract of an entry in an offical register, showing the date and place of birth of each party - these can be Australian or International
or, a passport showing the date and place of birth of the party
or, a statutory declaration made by the party or a parent of the party stating that, for reasons specified in the declaration, that it's not practical to obtain such a certificate and to state to the best of the declarent's knowledge of when and where the party was born.
Born in Australia: Have a passport or birth certificate for me with the proof of the date and place of your birth. If you do not currently possess either of these documents, then you will need to apply for them via the Births, Deaths and Marriages office of the state that you were born. Make this a priority if you need to obtain these documents.
Born overseas: Please bring your valid overseas passport and drivers licence.
Previously married: Please provide your divorce certificate or any death, nullity or dissolution papers.
Let’s have a chat (message me below) and we can get the process started to successfully complete your NOIM and create an amazing wedding ceremony.
I’m super excited to guide you and let your love shine 💖 ☀️
Much love, Andy
