One Month's Notice for Marriage
Australian marriage law requires a Notice of Intended Marriage to be given to the celebrant at least one calendar month before the marriage date.
This applies across Australia, including Noosa and the rest of the Sunshine Coast.
What counts as one month?
It is a calendar month, not 30 days.
Examples:
- If we receive your NOIM on 10 April, the earliest marriage date is 10 May.
- If we receive your NOIM on 31 January, the earliest marriage date is 28 February in a non-leap year or 29 February in a leap year.
What starts the notice period?
The notice period starts when the signed NOIM is given to your celebrant.
It does not start when you:
- make an enquiry
- pay a fee
- choose a date
- talk about availability
Can the NOIM be lodged earlier?
Yes. You can lodge it up to 18 months before the marriage.
Can the one month period be shortened?
Sometimes, but only in limited circumstances and only through the proper shortening of time process after the NOIM has been lodged.
The recognised categories are:
- employment-related or other travel commitments
- wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious considerations
- medical reasons
- legal proceedings
- an error in giving notice
Approval is not automatic.
Best next step
Use NOIM Easy to prepare the form, then send it to us as soon as you can.
Related pages
Get married with the Sunshine Coast Marriage Office
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