If couples wish to apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa, they will usually need a letter from a Celebrant, confirming that a Notice of Intended Marriage has been lodged and that a wedding has been booked. My role would involve receiving (and lodging) a Notice of Intended Marriage for the couple and then to provide them with a letter for the relevant Embassy confirming that the couple has indeed l
odged their intent with me. My fee for this service is usually $200, which includes the lodgement of the NOIM and the provision of the required letter. This can normally all be completed within 24 hours, if everything is conducted online. The steps are below:
• I would email the NOIM to the couple, which they can then print and complete.
• One or both parties could then have their signatures witnessed by an appropriate authority.
• The couple could then scan and email this document back to me. (The date that I receive the scanned copy is the date that the NOIM is ‘lodged’).
• However, the hard copy would need to be received by me also – I usually suggest posting this by Registered Mail.
• Once payment is received, I would then email a signed and scanned letter from me, confirming that the NOIM has been lodged. (A hard copy can also be posted, if required.) The guidelines regarding witnesses:
* This Notice must be signed in the presence of any of the following:
(a) if a party signs the Notice in Australia—an authorised celebrant, a Commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959, a justice of the peace, a barrister or solicitor, a legally qualified medical practitioner, or a member of the Australian Federal Police or the police force of a State or Territory;
(b) if a party signs the Notice outside Australia—an Australian Consular Officer, an Australian Diplomatic Officer, a notary public, an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under paragraph 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955, or an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under paragraph 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955. Note: For the definitions of Australian Consular Officer and Australian Diplomatic Officer, see section 2 of the Consular Fees Act 1955. If there are any other questions, please feel free to contact me any time – via my website is usually the best way. www.lizhayescelebrant.com.au
