What is the Notice of Intended Marriage Form (NIM/NOIM)?

Your Marriage Celebrant will provide you with the necessary NIM, and it is your Marriage Celebrant who is the authorised person with whom it should be lodged at first instance.  Whilst it is possible to obtain a shortening of time (in extraordinary circumstances), your NIM must be lodged with your Marriage Celebrant at least one month and one day prior to the date of your marriage.  At the earliest, it may be lodged up to 18 months prior to your marriage. 

To complete this document, you must provide the original versions of the following documents as evidence as to your identity and previous marital status. 

(a) Your birth certificates are the primary source of identification.  If you do not have your birth certificate and were born in Australia, another authorised copy can be obtained from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) in the state in which you were born.   For people born in Australia, there is no alternative to the provision of a birth certificate.  

If you were born overseas, it is also possible - in most cases - to apply for an authorised copy of your birth certificate (or the legal equivalent of your birth certificate) from the country of your birth.  If your birth certificate (or legal equivalent) is in a language other than English, you also need to provide an authorised translation.   Furthermore, you should note that some countries may take up to 6 months (e.g. South Africa) to provide the requested document.  Any other situations should be discussed urgently with your Marriage Celebrant who will discuss the alternative options open to you.

(b) If you were born overseas and hold an overseas passport, you should bring it with you to your meeting with your Marriage Celebrant.

(c) If you have been divorced, you are to provide the divorce document.   If you have misplaced or lost this document, you should be taking urgent action to obtain an authorised copy.

(d) If you are a widow or a widower, you are to provide the death certificate of your deceased spouse.   Again, if you have misplaced or lost this document, you should be taking urgent action to obtain an authorised copy.

(e) Again if applicable, you are to provide a Certificate for a Change of Name.   If you have changed your name via another means (i.e. by deed poll), please discuss this situation urgently with your Marriage Celebrant.

For any other circumstance, please check with your Marriage Celebrant as to what additional documentation is required.

Following your marriage, your Marriage Celebrant will forward the NIM and all other requisite documents to BDM.   Once the NIM is ticked off by BDM, it is forwarded to the Bureau of Statistics.

Link to PDF of NIM/NOIM form