AustraliaWe want to give our marriage notice. How much advance notice is required?
You must give at least one month’s notice before your wedding by lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with an authorised celebrant.
What the Law Says
The legal requirement for advance notice of marriage in Australia is set out in the federal Marriage Act 1961. This law applies uniformly across all states and territories.
Before getting married in Australia, both parties must complete and lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with an authorised marriage celebrant.
The NOIM must be given no earlier than 18 months and no later than one month (30 days) before the wedding date.
If either party is under 18, special court authorisation is required — the NOIM alone is not sufficient.
The celebrant must keep the NOIM on file for at least 7 years after the marriage.
Statutory TextThe notice must be given to an authorised celebrant not less than one month and not more than 18 months before the solemnisation of the marriage.
— Marriage Act 1961 (Cth), s. 42(1) — Notice of intended marriage
Statutory TextA person who is not yet 18 years of age must not marry unless a court has dispensed with the requirement of consent…
— Marriage Act 1961 (Cth), s. 12 — Minimum age of marriage
What to Do
Both parties complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (Form 13)
Sign the NOIM in the presence of an authorised witness (e.g., justice of the peace, lawyer, or celebrant)
Lodge the signed NOIM with an authorised marriage celebrant at least 30 days before your wedding
Provide identity and eligibility documents (e.g., birth certificate, divorce decree if applicable)
Confirm with your celebrant that they’ve received and accepted your NOIM
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.