The Legal Side of Your Ceremony
I get it, legal paperwork isn’t romantic, but it's the part that turns a beautiful ceremony into a legal marriage. The good news is that I am here to guide you through every form, and to check every detail.
Here is everything that is involved, legally, to get married in Australia.
Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
The Notice of Intended Marriage, or NOIM, is the first step in the process and is lodged with your celebrant no later than one month and no earlier than 18 months, before your ceremony. Most of my couples will complete this at their ceremony planning meeting, 3-4 months before the big day. During this meeting, the NOIM is signed by you and your partner, and then witnessed by me, as your celebrant.
To complete the NOIM, there are two forms of identification I need to see:
Evidence of your date and place of birth, such as your birth certificate, or passport.
Evidence of your identity, such as your driver licence or passport.
If you have been married before, proof that your previous marriage has ended, such as a divorce order. If your previous partner has passed away, a copy of the death certificate.
A private chat with each of you
Before your ceremony, I am required to meet with each of you separately and in person. This legal requirement introduced in 2024, is designed to protect everyone, and usually only takes a few minutes to confirm that you are both marrying freely.
Declaration of no legal impediment (DONLI)
A few days before, or the morning of, each of you signs a short declaration confirming there’s no legal reason you can’t marry. I prepare these for you, and then will come find each of you to ensure this paperwork is signed, before we start your ceremony.
The legal words on the day
Monitum
Early in the ceremony, I introduce myself to your guests as an authorised marriage celebrant and I complete a short statement about the nature of marriage in Australia, known as the monitum.
I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law.
Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.
Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
The legal vows
These are the words to make your marriage official. Each of you says the legal words to the other, in front of your two witnesses and me:
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my lawful wedded [wife / husband / spouse].
You can absolutely have personal vows in addition. My Vow Writing Guide is a great place to start!
What about the “I Do” words? This is a beautiful tradition, but not a legal requirement. Instead we can include the “I Do” in your ring exchange.
Signing of the marriage certificates
Depending if you want to sign your certificates before or after your first kiss, this is where we sit down, you, your two witnesses (over 18) and I, and sign the marriage certificates. You sign a ceremonial presentation certificate (which you keep) plus two official registry copies.
You must sign using your current legal name and usual signature. The exact same signature you used on your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM), even if you plan to change your surname later.
After the ceremony
I take care of the rest, and within 14 days I lodge your signed paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages. Keep an eye on your emails as you will be prompted with payment to mail your official marriage certificate.