Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ (NOIM) form?
If you decide to engage me as your celebrant, we will need to complete a “Notice of Intended Marriage” form, otherwise referred to as a NOIM, together at a meeting.
It is a four-page official form that you complete with your celebrant and it requires you both, as the bride and groom, to give personal details and states your intention to enter into marriage. This form is sent to the Registrar of Births, Deaths
What documents and proof of identity do I need at this meeting?
If you were born overseas, you must produce a valid passport or birth certificate issued by the government of an overseas country, showing the date and place of your birth.
It is also advisable that you both bring along another form of identification, and the most suitable form of photo ID is your current driver’s licence.
If either of you has been married before, I will need to see evidence of how your most recent marriage ended. If you are a widow or widower, an original or certified copy of the Death Certificate of your spouse must be presented. In the case of divorce, I must see the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce of your most recent marriage.
You should be aware that, under Australian law, I am not permitted to perform your marriage until I have sighted your original documents.
How much notice do we need to give before we get married?
What happens in the event that we have to postpone our wedding?
Does a civil marriage ceremony have any religious content?
Can I have a friend or family member read a poem at my wedding?
How many poems or readings is the right amount?
Can we include pieces of music?
I am happy to assist you with music selections and I would suggest that you choose one piece for the processional or Bride’s entrance, one or two pieces to be played during the signing of the wedding certificates and a further piece for the celebration or recessional part of the ceremony.
How long will the Ceremony take?
Can we write our own vows?
How many witnesses do we need and how old must they be?
What would happen if you were to get sick?
What name does the bride sign on the day of the Wedding?
What name should the bride use when booking travel/ honeymoon reservations?
How do I change my name after the marriage ceremony?
A bride can assume her husband’s name by marriage and does not require a formal application or process to do this.
On your wedding day, you will receive a certificate known as the ‘couple’s certificate’. This certificate is a keepsake document for your own records and may not be accepted as proof of marriage for official purposes, such as updating your driver
If you need a certificate as official proof of marriage, you can apply for a standard marriage certificate online visiting online.justice.vic.gov.au. Application fees apply.