Organising a wedding has many components, but did you know that there is paperwork you need to complete well before your wedding day?
Legally you are required to complete a form titled Notice of Intended Marriage, often referred to as the NOIM, which must be given to your celebrant at least one month before the wedding. You can give it to your celebrant up to eighteen (18) months before the wedding.
This form is included in the paperwork that is submitted to the office of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory where you are married so that the marriage can officially be registered.
Your celebrant can help you complete the form, in fact, I find it easiest to sit down with a marrying couple and talk them through the form so that they understand what is being recorded and what they are signing.
To complete the form, you will need specific forms of identification, including evidence of your date and place of birth. Your celebrant will advise you what paperwork you need to provide, such as a birth certificate, and if there are any special considerations that apply to your specific circumstances.
It is ideal to have your chosen celebrant witness the signing of the form, however, there are situations where this is not possible and your celebrant can advise who could witness your signatures instead.
Official information is available from the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department website at:
http://www.ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Marriage/Pages/GettingmarriedinAustralia.aspx