One Month Notice for Marriage

Australian marriage law requires at least one calendar month’s notice before a marriage can happen.

For most couples, that means this: your NOIM must be given to the celebrant at least one month before the marriage date.

When the notice period starts

The notice period starts when the completed and signed NOIM is given to the celebrant. It does not start when you:

• think about getting married
• send an enquiry
• make a booking
• or pay a fee

Simple examples

• If we receive your NOIM on 3 April, the earliest marriage date is 3 May.
• If we receive your NOIM on 28 January, the earliest marriage date is 28 February.
• If only one of you can sign at first, the notice period can still start when that signed NOIM is received, provided the other signature genuinely cannot be obtained in time and is added before the marriage.

Can the one month rule be waived?

Not by us.

It can only be shortened if a prescribed authority approves a shortening of time, and that only happens in limited circumstances.

The practical point

If you want a date with less stress, do not leave the NOIM until the last minute. Start early, use NOIM Easy, and send the paperwork in as soon as you can.