By law in Australia, every couple want to get married are required to give at least one calendar months notice - by completing the Notice of Intended Marriage for and providing this to their celebrant (per Marriage Act 1961).
However, there are exceptions and a "Shortening of Time" can be applied for.
The
Marriage Regulations 2017 (Cth) Schedule 3 - Circumstances for authorising marriage despite late notice. The 5 prescribed categories are set out below.They are;
1 Employment‑related or other travel commitments
2 Wedding or celebration arrangements
3 Medical reasons
4 Legal proceedings
5 Error in giving notice
Please see the bottom of this page for details for each of these situations and examples, as published by Sutherland Local Court.
Please click and read Schedule 3 to see full details and documentation required
Please note;
* the reason for seeking a shortening of time must fall within one of the prescribed categories before the application can be considered
* a prescribed authority has no discretion to grant a shortening of time outside the circumstances covered by these categories
* the granting of a shortening of time is not automatic, and
* a prescribed authority may charge an application fee, celebrants should suggest that the couple check if a fee is charged when making an appointment, with a prescribed authority.
NOTE. As marriage celebrant we can not guarantee that an application will be approved for a Shortening of Time. The discretion is solely with the Prescribed Authoriity. Hence, any costs associated with your application are non refundable.
Before you start the process or make any payment (such as purchasing the Lodgement Voucher) please ensure you are confident that you request for a Shortening of Time meet the legilation as set out above.
Step 1. Purchase a Lodgement Voucher from Simple Ceremonies for $110.
Click here to purchase a Lodgement Voucher
This voucher covers the cost of;
i) The lodgement of your Notice of Intended Marriage form (NoIM). The NoIM is valid for up to 18 months. If you do not get married within 18months, you will need to complete a new NoIM and purchase a new Lodgement Voucher or make a booking.
ii) Follow the instructions to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage form (NoIM) in your portal, including having the NoIM signed and witnessed by an Authorised Person.
ii) Simple Ceremonies will then prepare our STANDARD letter confirming the lodgement of your NoIM in relation to your proposed ceremony.
NOTE. All payments are Non-Refundable and not conditional on an Application being approved for a Shortening of Time or any other requirement.
Step 2. Complete the Notice of Intended Marriage form
i) Then follow the instructions your receive to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage form (NoIM) in your portal on our website, uploading IDs etc.
ii) Download a copy of the NoIM and have it signed and witnessed by an Authorised Person.
iii) Upload the NoIM back onto the portal
Then there are two options; Step 3. a) or Step 3 b)
Step 3. a) You will need to contact your Local Court and make an appointment with the Local Court Registrar (a Prescribed Authority). No additional fee payable by you to Simple Ceremoniesi) Contact your Local Court registrar and explain that you require a meeting with a
Prescribed Authority to arrange a Shortening of Time for your marriage Notice. Explain to them why you think you should get a shortening of time and ask what you will need to provide. They should be able to give you an indication at this point if your application for a Shortening will be considered. If they consider that they may be able to provide a Shortening of Time, make an appointment.
ii) At this appointment you will need to provide the documents they requested, including:
- the completed NoIM form
- STANDARD letter from Simple Ceremonies
- evidence supporting your application
iii) There is a fee of $48 for this application payable to the court.
iv) As soon as you have a result from your application notify Simple Ceremonies. If the application has ben approved upload a copy of the NoIM/ Letter you received from the Prescribed Authority granting the shortening.
Option 3.b) Simple Ceremonies will manage your application with BDM NSW. An additional fee payable by you to Simple Ceremonies of $150 (to manage the process)i) Go into your portal and in the Add-Ons section purchase the "Process Shortening of Time through BDM" for $150. This fee includes: $48 Applicaiton Fee to BDM plus the $102 addimistration fee for Simple Ceremonies to administer you appliation.
ii) Provide Simple Ceremonies with a letter outline why you are applying for a Shortening of Time. IMPORTANTLY referenceing the Marriage Regulations 2017 (listed above).
iii) Provide Simple Ceremonies with additional documentation/ evidence supportaing your application.
Example.
"1 Employment-related or other travel commitments
(1) The marriage should be solemnised despite the required notice not having been received in time because a party to the marriage or someone involved with the proposed wedding:
(a) has employment commitments that require the party's absence from the location of the proposed wedding for a considerable period of time"
- list the specific documentation you can provide (per Schedule 3 - "In determining whether a circumstance in subclause (1) is met, the prescribed authority may take into account the following:"
- Outline, in your words, your situation and why you would like a shortening of time.Examples include: Employment contracts, Letters from Doctors, Venue receipts etc.
iV) As soon as we have an outcome from BDM we will notify you.
Step 4. Finalise the ceremony details with Simple Ceremonies i) Following the result of your application finalise with Simple Ceremonies the details of your ceremony.
Step 5. Make payment for your ceremony
i) Simple Ceremonies will provide you with details of how to make payment for your ceremony. This will be the standard fee for ceremonies ie there is no deduction make for any fee already paid.
Step 6. Love your ceremony!!!!
