Shortening of Time Application

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.

Information from the Attorney General's website:

It is possible to shorten the minimum notice time for a marriage to less than a month if, and only if, the special circumstances set out in the Marriage Regulations 1963 are met. You will need to approach a Prescribed Authority for approval. You may need to make an appointment and a fee may be payable.

Prescribed authorities are listed on the Attorney General's website (Prescribed Authorities are usually found at your Local Court or Registry Office). They can shorten the required period of notice if they are satisfied that the circumstances prescribed in the Regulations are met.

The five categories of circumstances set out in the Regulations 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.

The reason for wanting a shortening of time for notice must fall within one of these categories. There is no capacity to grant a shortening of time outside these circumstances.

Shortening of time is not automatic.

When making a decision, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) or a Prescribed Authority will weigh up the information provided in support of your application and may seek additional information as outlined in the Regulations.

You should have the documentation that supports your request before approaching a Prescribed Authority

What do you need to do?

Contact either myself or a marriage celebrant who is willing to conduct a ceremony at short notice.

I am so aware of the delicate nature of these applications particularly when for medical reasons. Therefore I will do everything in my power to accommodate your needs, making myself available at short notice, and out of regular office hours, to assist in the preparation of the ‘Shortening of Time’ application that needs to be submitted to ‘The Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages WA’.

When it comes to conducting your ceremony I will work with you to ensure this takes place in a timely manner, and will again make myself available at short notice and out of regular office hours to assist you.

I will assist you with completing a Notice of Intended Marriage and will witness you signing this document.

I will provide a letter acknowledging that I have received your Notice of Intended Marriage and that I am willing to conduct your marriage ceremony on the date and time nominated, provided the approval for shortening of time is granted.

I will make the application to the Prescribing Authority (Registry of Birth Deaths and Marriages) to request a Shortening of Time on your behalf.

If you choose to make the application to ‘The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages WA’ directly, make sure you take all documents that you would require to be married (birth certificates and/or passports, divorce papers) and documentary evidence to support your reason for shortening eg medical reports, employers evidence, wedding receipts.