Same sex marriage NOIM?
Some people ask whether the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is different for different types of couples. Is there a:
- separate same sex marriage NOIM?
- different heterosexual marriage NOIM?
- separate marriage equality NOIM?
- different NOIM for couples with one female partner and one non-binary partner? Or one male partner and one non-binary partner?
The answer to all these questions is a resounding no!
There is only one Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) and it has been carefully designed to cater to all kinds of couples, including those who were unable to marry in Australia before marriage equality was legislated in 2017.
- The columns are labelled Person 1 and Person 2.
- Item 1 asks each person to decide whether they want to be described as Groom, Bride or Partner.
- Item 4 asks each person to nominate their gender – Male, Female, or Non-binary (this item is optional).
All of these features add up to the NOIM being suitable for any couple comprising any combination of gender identities. There is no same sex marriage NOIM!
More information
Click here for a full overview of the legal requirements of marriage in Australia.
Read all the posts in my series about marriage legalities here.
Find all the posts in my series about Australian wedding ceremonies here.