If you’re planning a wedding in Australia and a celebrant has quoted you a “NOIM lodgement fee” — hit pause. Because you might be getting charged for something that doesn’t actually exist.
At I Do Drive Thru, we believe in transparent, honest pricing, and we think couples should know what they’re really paying for — especially when it comes to legal paperwork like the Notice of Intended Marriage form (NOIM).
Let’s clear this up.
What Is the NOIM Form?
The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is a legal form required under the Marriage Act 1961 to give at least one month’s notice before a marriage can legally take place in Australia.
It must be signed and witnessed
It must be lodged with your celebrant at least one month before your wedding day
It is valid for up to 18 months
You can download the NOIM for free from the Attorney-General’s Department website.
❌ What the NOIM Does NOT Do
Here’s the big myth:
There is no government lodgement fee when you lodge your NOIM with a celebrant.
If you're marrying through a private celebrant (not the registry office), the NOIM is simply held in trust by that celebrant. It’s not submitted to Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM) or anywhere else until after your ceremony is complete and your marriage paperwork is being finalised.
✅ Fact: The celebrant holds onto the NOIM, verifies ID, and enters your details into their BDM system — but no money is exchanged with the government at this point.
Photo by Cass from Plum Photography
So Why Are Some Celebrants Charging a “Lodgement Fee”?
Some celebrants may list a “NOIM lodgement fee” or “paperwork fee” as an add-on, implying it’s a government requirement — but it’s not. What they’re really doing is:
Charging an admin fee for processing the form
Covering the time it takes to input your data into their BDM account
Verifying your ID and document checks
That admin work is real — and it’s fair to charge a small fee for it. But it should be clearly labelled as admin or setup, not a “NOIM lodgement fee.”
How to Avoid Being Overcharged
Here’s what to look for when comparing celebrants:
Red Flag: “NOIM lodgement fee” that sounds like a government charge
What to Ask: Is this a government-mandated fee or your own admin fee?
Red Flag: Hidden paperwork fees in small print
What to Ask: Can you break down what’s included in this cost?
Red Flag: Prices that feel inflated for legals-only ceremonies
What to Ask: What’s the full price for a simple legal wedding?
Always ask questions — a great celebrant will never mind explaining what you’re paying for.
Photo by Stories by Annie
What We Do at I Do Drive Thru
We offer a $400 celebrant service that includes:
Admin and handling of your NOIM
ID checks and secure paperwork management
Your legally required wedding ceremony
Submitting the completed paperwork to BDM after your wedding
No hidden extras, no made-up fees
We don’t charge a “lodgement fee” because we don’t believe in misleading couples.
Final Word: Don’t Get Fooled
Planning a wedding is already overwhelming — and we’re here to keep things simple, honest, and fair.
You do not need to pay anyone to “lodge” your NOIM unless you’re going through a government registry office (like NSW or QLD BDM), where fees apply for the ceremony — not the form.
So if you’re booking a celebrant and they’re charging you an extra fee just to “lodge” your NOIM — ask why.
And maybe, look elsewhere.