One Month’s Notice — What Is a NOIM and Why It Matters

Man kneeling to propose to a woman on a misty beach, opening a ring box

So you’ve said yes. Congratulations! Now, before you dive into the fun stuff — the flowers, the dress, the venue — there’s one very important first step that a surprising number of couples miss.

One of the first things we’ll help you with is your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). Every couple marrying in Australia must lodge this paperwork at least one month before their wedding, and it’s one of the questions we’re asked most often.

What exactly is a NOIM?

It’s a legal document — the official “heads up” to the government that you intend to marry. Your celebrant checks it, signs it, and accepts it, and from that date your one month’s notice begins. No NOIM, no legal marriage. It’s as simple as that.

Why a whole month?

Think of it as a built-in breathing space — a chance to make sure both of you are choosing this freely and intentionally. It also gives everyone involved time to check that all the paperwork is in order before the big day.

I actually had a couple walk into the Marriage Office on Valentine’s Day once, asking if they could get married that afternoon. They were completely serious — and genuinely disappointed when I explained that today wasn’t possible. It’s one of the most common surprises for couples who haven’t looked into the legals yet.

Hand holding a paper card with a heart cut-out framing a sunset over the ocean

It’s not just for traditional weddings

The one month’s notice applies regardless of what kind of wedding you’re having – and that surprises a lot of people.

Some couples have their hearts set on a destination wedding overseas – a villa in Tuscany, a beach in Bali, surrounded by everyone they love. But before the big celebration, they want the legal side done properly, quietly, and close to home. That’s exactly what the Marriage Office Mandurah is here for. What surprises many couples in this situation is that the one month’s notice still applies. So if you’re planning to marry legally in Mandurah in March before flying out for your overseas celebration in April, you need to have your NOIM sorted by February at the latest. The dream trip doesn’t get delayed – it just needs a little planning at this end first. Sound like you?

Not everyone wants a big wedding, and that’s completely understandable. Some couples just want each other, maybe a couple of witnesses, and a moment that belongs entirely to them. Beautiful. Completely doable. But even the most beautifully simple elopement is still a legal marriage, which means the NOIM still needs to happen and the one month’s notice still applies. The good news is that’s really all the admin there is.

Beach wedding ceremony setup at sunset with a floral arch and white chairs

What do you need to bring?

When you come in to sign your NOIM you’ll need:

  • Photo ID (passport or driver’s licence)
  • Your birth certificate
  • Divorce certificate or death certificate of a previous spouse, if applicable

Don’t worry about tracking down the NOIM form yourself – once you book with us we’ll have everything ready and walk you through it together. That’s it for the initial paperwork. Your celebrant will walk you through everything else at your appointment – or browse our Q&A page if you want to get ahead of the questions.

Couple kissing at barn doors after elopement at Marriage Office Mandurah Marina

Other questions people ask me

Yes. While Australian law requires at least one month’s notice, you can lodge your NOIM up to 18 months before your ceremony. Many couples do this to secure their preferred wedding date and get the paperwork organised early.

Usually yes, as both parties need to sign the Notice of Intended Marriage in front of an authorised witness. If one of you is overseas or interstate, talk to us—we can explain the options.

Yes. You can view the official Notice of Intended Marriage form HERE before your appointment if you’d like to familiarise yourself with it. Don’t worry about completing it on your own—we’ll guide you through it together.

If you’ve previously been married, you’ll need to bring evidence that the marriage has legally ended, such as a divorce order or a death certificate if your previous spouse has passed away.

Once your Notice of Intended Marriage has been accepted, the legal paperwork is underway. From there, we simply count down the required notice period and prepare for your ceremony.

A Notice of Intended Marriage is valid for 18 months from the date it is lodged. That means you can organise your paperwork well in advance if you’re planning ahead or booking a popular wedding date.

Whatever kind of wedding you’re planning – small, local, or destination – book your celebrant first and get your NOIM sorted early. It’s a simple step that protects your date and means everything else can fall into place without stress.

Ready to take the next step?

Get in touch and we can walk through the process together. We’ll make sure everything is completed correctly, and as your authorised celebrant I’ll check your identification and witness your signatures for you. That way you can relax knowing the legal requirements are taken care of. I’m here to make sure you know exactly what to expect every step of the way.

Couple at their Beautiful Basics registry-style wedding by a wine barrel, Marriage Office Mandurah
The Beautiful Basics
LEARN MORE
Bride and groom kissing under a floral arch at their Full Ceremony wedding, Marriage Office Mandurah
The Full Ceremony
LEARN MORE
Legals Only wine barrel signage at Marriage Office Mandurah registry-style wedding
Legals Only
LEARN MORE