Can You Get Married in Less Than One Month?
Understanding Shortening of Time in Queensland
If you’ve just got engaged and you’re thinking, “Can we just get married next week?” — there is a little bit of paperwork standing in your way.
In Australia, there is a legal requirement to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least one month before your wedding date. This applies whether you’re planning a big wedding, an intimate ceremony or a simple Legals Only wedding.
But there are some circumstances where that one-month notice period can be shortened.
And this is something I’ve had a couple of recent wins with!
What is the one-month notice period?
Before you can legally get married in Australia, you need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage, commonly known as a NOIM and it needs to be lodged with your celebrant, under the usual rules, at least one calendar month before your wedding date.
So, if you contact me on 1 August wanting to get married on 15 August, we normally can't simply book the ceremony and make it happen.
But sometimes life doesn't follow the usual timeline. That's where a Shortening of Time application can come in.
What is a Shortening of Time?
A Shortening of Time is an application asking the relevant authority to allow you to get married with less than the usual one-month notice period.
It isn't something your celebrant can simply approve themselves. The application needs to be considered and approved by an authorised decision-maker, and approval is not automatic. You need to have a genuine special circumstance and provide evidence to support your application. In Queensland, applications can be considered by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
And yes, there is a process involved. But that's where having an experienced celebrant in your corner can make a huge difference.
What circumstances can qualify?
There are five categories of circumstances that can be considered:
Employment-related or other travel commitments
Wedding or celebration arrangements
Medical reasons
Legal proceedings
Error in giving notice
It's important to understand that simply wanting to get married sooner isn't enough. You need to have a good reason that falls within one of these categories, and you'll generally need supporting evidence. The decision-maker will look at the circumstances and information provided before deciding whether the shortening can be approved.
I've recently helped two couples get their weddings brought forward
This is one of those parts of being a celebrant that I particularly love — helping couples navigate the legal side of getting married when life throws them a curveball.
Recently, two of my couples needed to get married sooner than the usual one-month notice period allowed.
In both cases, we worked through their circumstances, prepared the necessary application and supporting evidence, and I submitted the applications to the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
And I'm very happy to say that both applications were approved!
The relief and excitement from both couples when they found out was pretty special. Because for them, this wasn't just about changing a date.
There was a really important reason they needed to be married sooner, and being able to help make that happen meant they could move forward with something that mattered enormously to them.
Does a Shortening of Time mean you can get married tomorrow?
Possibly — but unlikely and please don't assume it will. In the application they ask for an ideal date, and it should be in the future enough to allow time for the application to be reviewed.
A Shortening of Time application is not a guaranteed fast-track to getting married. The application needs to be approved, and the circumstances need to meet the requirements.
So if you're thinking about applying, don't leave it until the day before you want to get married!
The more time you can give your celebrant to understand your circumstances, gather the relevant evidence and prepare the application, the better. And of course, you still need to meet all the other legal requirements for getting married in Australia.
What does a celebrant do in the process?
This is one of those behind-the-scenes parts of my job that couples don't necessarily realise I can help with.
If you come to me and say:
“Trudy, we've just found out we need to get married really soon. Is there anything we can do?”
I'll talk through your circumstances with you and work out whether a Shortening of Time application may be an option.
If it is, I'll help you understand what's required, what supporting evidence you'll need and how the application process works.
I can then submit the application to the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on your behalf.
Ultimately, the Registry makes the decision, not me. So I will never promise a couple that their application will be approved.
But I can make sure we're putting forward the strongest and most appropriate application we can.
What if your application is approved?
This is the exciting bit!
Once the shortening has been approved, you can proceed with your marriage on the requested and approved date before the usual one-month notice period has passed — subject to meeting the other legal requirements and your celebrant being able to conduct the ceremony on your chosen date.
And suddenly that wedding that seemed like it was going to have to wait another few weeks can actually happen. Sometimes with a surprisingly short turnaround!
Thinking you might need a Shortening of Time?
If you've found yourself in a situation where you need to get married sooner than one month from now, don't panic and don't assume it's impossible.
It may be worth talking to a celebrant about your circumstances.
There are very specific rules around Shortening of Time applications, and not every situation will qualify. But if your circumstances fall within one of the recognised categories, there may be an option available to you.
I've now had the privilege of helping two couples successfully navigate this process in recent weeks, and seeing the happiness and relief on their faces when they realised they could actually get married when they needed to was pretty lovely.
It's a good reminder that being a Marriage Celebrant isn't just about standing up and conducting the ceremony. A big part of my job happens before I ever pick up the microphone.
It's helping you navigate the legal stuff, answering the questions you didn't know you needed to ask, and sometimes doing a little paperwork magic when life doesn't quite go according to plan. 💕
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone apply for a Shortening of Time?
No. There are five recognised categories of circumstances that can be considered, including employment or travel commitments, wedding or celebration arrangements, medical reasons, legal proceedings and errors in giving notice.
Is a Shortening of Time guaranteed?
No. Applications are considered individually and approval is not automatic. You need to provide a good reason and supporting evidence.
Can my Marriage Celebrant approve the Shortening of Time?
No. Your celebrant can help you prepare and submit the application, but the decision is made by an authorised authority.
How quickly can I get married if my application is approved?
There isn't one standard timeframe. It depends on your circumstances, the approval process and your celebrant's availability. This is why it's important to speak to your celebrant as soon as you know you need a shorter timeframe.
Do I still need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage?
Yes. A Shortening of Time reduces the required notice period; it doesn't remove the requirement to give notice and complete the required legal paperwork.
Can I get married without giving any notice at all?
No. The shortening process allows the one-month notice period to be reduced, but the required notice still needs to be given.
If you’re in Brisbane and your wedding plans have suddenly become a little more urgent than expected, get in touch. I’m always happy to have a chat about your circumstances and see what options might be available to you.
Please note: Shortening of Time applications are assessed by the relevant authority and approval is never guaranteed. This information is general in nature and current as of August 2026. For the most up-to-date requirements, check the Queensland Government information or speak with your authorised Marriage Celebrant.
