Adrian Downey NSW Celebrant

A. Yes, this can be done; you need to submit a request for approval for “shortening of time for notice”. There are five categories for approval based on your circumstances, these are:

1. Employment–related, or other travel commitments
2. Wedding or celebration arrangements,or religious considerations
3. Medical reasons
4. Legal proceedings, and
5. Error in giving notice.

You still need to submit your Notice of Intended Marriage to me and you will need to seek approval from a “Prescribed Authority”

 The Marriage Act 1961 requires the parties to an intended marriage to give the authorised celebrant at least one month’s written notice prior to the solemnisation of the marriage. This notice is known as the Notice of Intended Marriage form.
The term ‘month’ is defined in the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. The Acts Interpretation Act was recently amended by the Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011. From 27 December 2011, section 2G of the Acts Interpretation Act provides that in any Act, ‘month’ means a period:

• starting at the start of any day of one of the calendar months; and
• ending:
• immediately before the start of the corresponding day of the next calendar month
• or if there is no such day – at the end of the next calendar month.

The Notice of Intended Marriage Form (NOIM) can be lodged with me in the following ways:

• In person
• Scanned and emailed to me
• Faxed to me

If sent by email or fax the originals are required to be produced to me prior to the marriage ceremony taking place.

A. Yes you can. If you have completed the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form with the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages or another Celebrant (whether a Religious or Civil Celebrant) and decide that you would like another Celebrant to perform your ceremony you can request that the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form be transferred. If time permits it may be just as easy to commence a new one however if within the one month this can be transferred upon request.

A. Traditionally the witnesses are usually a best man and a bridesmaid. However the witnesses can be any two persons who are present at the ceremony and who are, or appear to the person solemnising the marriage to be, over the age of 18 years. These are the persons who will sign the marriage certificates in their capacity as the witnesses to the marriage. Arranging for the attendance of witnesses at the marriage ceremony is the responsibility of the parties to the marriage.