Probably the most confusing part of the ceremony planning journey is the legal paperwork.

Most couples underestimate the amount of paperwork that’s involved in getting hitched.

Don’t freak out.

My job is to guide you through each section and to be the handler of the paperwork. But, I do need your help.

Couples will need to fill in the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). This needs to be filled out and activated and given to your celebrant AT LEAST one month prior to your wedding date.

I send my couples this form but you can also grab a copy right here

Before you begin

Type don’t write

Please do not print it out and handwrite your answers, trust me you’re not as neat as you think you are and If I can’t read your writing you could end up with typos in your documents.

Instead, please save the document and type your answers in. This is also handy if you have a lengthy name or address, those space boxes are a bit unforgiving!

Get your documents sorted.

You need to prove to your celebrant (me) that you are who you say you are before you can get married.  Legally I must sight identification which states your place and date of birth along with  photo identification.

The easiest to use is a current passport.  If not, you must produce an original birth certificate and drivers licence/ID card etc.

If you weren’t born in Australia I will still need to see either your passport or birth certificate and photo ID.

If you have been married before you will need to produce certificates, i.e death or divorce certificates.

Documents can be tricky so if you have any doubts or questions please let me know.

How to fill in the NOIM

Page 1 and 2

The title page followed by the privacy notes. Have a read, you don’t need to do anything.

Page 3

This is the section which needs your attention.

1. Don’t worry about the top section blocks, I will fill them in. Begin filling in your details from ‘description of party’ onwards

2. Your names – as they appear on your passport or birth certificate or drivers licence. No other way, nicknames are cute but I don’t want to see them on this form. 

3. Your occupation – what is your title i.e a manager rather than management. If you’re a stay at home mum, put that, if you’re unemployed, put unemployed. Don’t be self conscious its just data.

4. Address – this must be your current residential address. Don’t worry if you’re moving soon just enter where you’re living when you fill the document out. 

5. Conjugal status – your options are ‘Never Validly Married’, ‘divorced’ or ‘widow/er’. I don’t want to see single or its complicated, this isn’t Facebook.

6. Birthplace – This has to be the birthplace stated on your birth certificate or passport. For example, there are actually many suburbs in Sydney, not just ‘Sydney’ just sayin. 

7. Parents Names – this one trips couples up the most. You must enter your mums full maiden name, not her current legal name. What was the name she was born with? Put that! Dads name is his full legal name which appears on his ID. Both names must be stated in full, so first, middle and surnames. 

8. Previous marriages – Another one which trips couples up. If you have been married before, please answer in the fields provided but take note of the date which the last marriage ended. The divorce certificate usually gives you a date where the divorce has been ‘issued’. But if you keep reading you’ll notice that the divorce doesn’t become final until about a month later. Please enter the final date.

Page 4

On the last page of the NOIM there are some signatures needed and some extra info to entered by me your celebrant.

All you need to do is tick whether or not you and your partner are related to each other…. Awkward. 

When you’re done

When you have finished completing your form at this point you have two options. One, email it to me, I will print it and have it ready to witness your signature at our meeting.
OR,
 If we are not able to meet in time, or distance is an issue, you can print off the form, and have a valid witness sign with you.

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM BY YOURSELF.
(some couples get a bit enthusiastic!)

The following are the only valid witnesses:

– an authorised celebrant
– a Commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959
– a justice of the peace
– a barrister or solicitor
– a legally qualified medical practitioner (doctor or dentist, please note : registered nurses are not accepted)
– a member of the Australian Federal Police or the police force of a State or Territory.

If you are overseas and won’t be back in Australia before the due date of the NOIM, don’t stress!
Just complete the NOIM and have it witnessed by one of the following authorities only:

 – an Australian Diplomatic Officer
– an Australian Consular Officer
– a notary public
– an employee of the Commonwealth authorized under paragraph 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955
– an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under paragraph 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.

Then email it to me and the original can either be posted to me or delivered in person when you arrive for your wedding. It’s all good, happens all the time!

Only one party needs to sign for the form to be activated, so don’t stress if you’re partner isn’t able to attend when you have your signature witnessed. The other party just needs to sign prior to the marriage being solemnised.
 

To Recap

– Take care filling in your details in the NOIM form, its a legal document
– If in doubt, ask for advice.
– You will need to show me evidence that you are who you say you are

All smooth sailing once this form is done correctly.

Bring on the fun parts!