Notice of Intended Marriage in Adelaide
The Notice of Intended Marriage, or NOIM, is the form that starts the legal process of getting married in Australia.
If you are booking our paperwork-only service, this is the key document.
The main rule
The NOIM must be:
- signed by both parties
- witnessed correctly
- given to the celebrant at least one month before the marriage
- given no more than 18 months before the marriage
The one-month period starts when the completed NOIM is given to the celebrant.
The easiest way to do it
Use NOIM Easy.
It walks you through the form step by step, generates a completed PDF ready to print, and can email a copy directly to your celebrant if you want.
What information you will need
You will usually need:
- your full legal names
- current addresses
- dates and places of birth
- occupations
- your parents’ names
- details of any previous marriage
What documents usually go with it
Your celebrant will usually need to see:
- a birth certificate or current passport
- photo ID
- divorce evidence if relevant
- a death certificate if widowed
- any name-change evidence
Who can witness the NOIM in Australia
If you sign in Australia, authorised witnesses include:
- a marriage celebrant
- a justice of the peace
- a barrister or solicitor
- a legally qualified medical practitioner
- a state or federal police officer
If you sign outside Australia, different authorised witnesses apply, such as an Australian diplomatic or consular officer or a notary public.
Do both people have to sign at the same time?
Not always.
If one person’s signature cannot conveniently be obtained when the NOIM is first given, the other person may be able to sign later under the observation of an authorised celebrant in Australia before the marriage. Under the current Act, that observation can include audio-visual communication in some cases.
Do not guess on this. Ask early if you are in different locations.
Common mistakes
The most common NOIM problems are:
- names that do not match the documents
- missing previous-marriage details
- waiting too long
- incorrect witnessing
- assuming a witnessed form has already started the one-month clock when it has not yet been lodged
Best next step
- Use NOIM Easy.
- Read one month’s notice.
- Check ID requirements.
- Click Get Married if you have not booked yet.
Do the paperwork in the right order
Start with NOIM Easy, then use Get Married to book the paperwork-only service. We confirm the date, time, and place after the completed paperwork is received and checked.