Notice of intended marriage

A Notice of Intended Marriage, a month before the date of your wedding, needs to be lodged with the celebrant you choose - whether the celebrant is a civil or religious one, or one at the registry office or court house.

However, whilst you may book your celebrant, legal notice can not be given more than 18 months before.

One months notice  means, you may marry on the corresponding number of that day in the next month to the day's number when your Notice of Intended Marriage was lodged

For example, if your Notice of Intended Marriage on the 1st January, the earliest you may marry is the 1st February. 

if the date is so late in the month, that there is not a matching number of day in the next month, then it is the next available day is the day upon which you can marry.

For example:
Giving your celebrant Notice on the 31st January, means you may marry on 1st March but not earlier.
Giving your celebrant Notice on the 31st August, means you may marry on 1st October but not earlier.

Closer to the wedding date would require that you gain a Shortening of Time from a Prescribed Authority.
But this requires special circumstances and is by no means guaranteed.

It is best not to take that risk !

Click to download the Notice of Intended Marriage.pdf

The date your completed Notice of Intended Marriage form, as received in person, by fax or mail by your celebrant, is your date of lodgment.

If your wedding date is so close that it is necessary to post your Notice of Intended Marriage before you meet your celebrant personally, then it is recommended that you contact your celebrant immediately.

If you are posting or faxing your Notice, you must have your signatures witnessed as indicated on the form - see below.

Please print out double sided if possible.

Both parties need to filled out this Notice Of Intended Marriage Form and have their signatures witnessed by special people specified on this form.

Occasionally, only one signature is acceptable but the form must be signed by both parties prior to the marriage.

Surprise weddings where one of the parties to the marriage, has not given or been given a clear month's Notice are not acceptable under the Australian Marriage Act. Nor for two people already married to each other.

Witnesses

In Australia, witnesses may be a Justice of the Peace, doctor, policeman, solicitor or authorised marriage celebrant. If you can not meet your celebrant personally in time, then the local police station is usually easiest.

If overseas, then a Notary Public or nearest Australian Embassy or High Commission. This may take time and be costly, so best to investigate your closest witnesses as soon as possible.