Prepare your Notice of Intended Marriage

Under Australian law, every couple must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with their marriage celebrant at least one month before the wedding — and no earlier than 18 months before.

This tool helps you prepare a completed NOIM form that you can print, sign, and give to your celebrant. It takes about 10 minutes.

What is a NOIM?

The Notice of Intended Marriage is a legal form required under Section 42 of the Marriage Act 1961. It tells the Australian Government that you intend to marry. Your celebrant must receive it at least one month before your ceremony (though in exceptional circumstances a prescribed authority can grant a shortening of time).

The form collects identification details for both parties, parent information for the marriage register, and details about any previous marriages.

What you'll need

Have the following information ready for both people getting married:

• Full legal name (as it appears on your ID)
• Date of birth
• Country, city, and state of birth
• Usual occupation
• Current residential address
• Conjugal (marital) status — never married, divorced, or widowed
• Parent details — names and countries of birth (for the marriage register)

If either party has been previously married, you'll also need:

• Date the divorce became final, and which court granted it; or
• Death certificate number and date of death (if widowed)

What happens after?

Once you complete this form, you'll receive a filled PDF that you can download immediately.

Here's what to do next:

• Print the PDF — you'll need a physical copy
• Sign the form in the presence of an authorised witness
• Give the signed NOIM to your celebrant along with your supporting documents (birth certificates, divorce papers if applicable)
• Your celebrant will verify your documents and complete the official lodgement

Who can witness your NOIM?

Your NOIM must be signed in front of one of the following:

• An authorised marriage celebrant (including your own celebrant)
• A Justice of the Peace (JP)
• A barrister or solicitor
• A medical practitioner
• A member of the Australian Federal Police or state/territory police force
• An Australian Diplomatic Officer or Australian Consular Officer (if signing overseas)

The witness must sight your original identification documents when you sign.

Important notes

• This is a preparation tool only — it helps you fill in the form accurately before you meet with your celebrant
• The generated PDF is not yet legally valid until signed by both parties and witnessed
• Your celebrant will review everything and handle the official lodgement with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
• All information stays between you and your celebrant — we don't store your data