First, it’s important to understand what a shortening of time is and when you might need to apply for one. A shortening of time is a request to have a marriage performed and waive or reduce the one month waiting period between lodging the Notice of Intended Marriage and the marriage ceremony. This might be necessary if, for example, one of the people wanting to marry has been deployed to another country, or there are medical considerations.
Now, let’s talk about how to apply for a shortening of time.
The first step, if you haven’t already, is to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant. After the paperwork has been lodged with the celebrant, they will give the Notice of Intended Marriage to you. This is the only circumstance in which a celebrant will release the Notice of Intended Marriage back to the couple. Whether the application is successful or not, the parties must return the Notice of Intended Marriage to the celebrant. You will need to take the Notice of Intended Marriage to a prescribed authority to seek approval for the shortening of time.
A prescribed authority includes, a person, being an officer or employee of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, appointed by the Attorney-General to be a prescribed authority. Prescribed authorities are authorised, among other things, to authorise a marriage celebrant to proceed with a marriage ceremony where the minimum 1 month notice has not been provided (shortening of time). At this appointment you will state your reasons for requesting a shortening of time.
The five circumstances in which an application for shortening of time may be considered by a prescribed authority are set out in Schedule 3 to the Marriage Regulations.
These are limited to:
- employment-related or other travel commitments
- wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious considerations
- medical reasons
- legal proceedings, or
- an error in giving notice.
A celebrant cannot confirm if your application will be successful. The approval of a shortening of time rests solely with the prescribed authority and is not automatic. Don’t assume in making the application, you will be approved.
A list of the prescribed authorities can be found here: List of State offices & Prescribed Authorities.
Before attending your appointment, gather together any documents, receipts or evidence to support your application. This can be medical records, letters from doctors, employment contracts or even venue contracts and receipts. Your celebrant may also provide a letter of support. You’ll need to explain why the shortening of time needs to be approved and what will happen if it isn’t.
Make sure you have gathered together all your documents, and have the Notice of Intended Marriage before attending your appointment with the prescribed authority. In this appointment, they will assess your application and make a decision. The prescribed authority will only consider applications that fall within the five stated considerations outlined above. No other circumstances will be considered.
If your application is successful, the prescribed authority will note the approval on your Notice of Intended Marriage. This should then be returned to your celebrant and the marriage can occur, despite the 1 month period not be observed.
Overall, applying for a shortening of time can be a bit complex, but by following the steps above and making sure to include all of the necessary information and evidence in your application, you’ll give yourself the best chance at success.
In summary, to apply for a shortening of time:
- Complete the Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant and ask to take the Notice with you to your appointment with a Prescribed Authority.
- Make an appointment with a Prescribed Authority (List of State offices & Prescribed Authorities.)
- Before attending the appointment, gather together supporting documents and evidence for your application.
- Attend your appointment and present your case.
- Whatever the outcome, return the Notice of Intended Marriage to your celebrant immediately after the appointment with a Prescribed Authority.
What happens if the Shortening of Time is approved?
You will be able to marry on the day/ date you have requested, or you will be able to marry immediately. In circumstances where there are medical considerations, being able to marry immediately is important. Your celebrant will walk you through the next steps, and you will still have to produce identification and any other documents that are required for you to marry (e.g Divorce certificates)
What happens if the Shortening of Time is NOT approved?
You will have to wait the require 1 month period of notice before having a marriage ceremony. Where the wedding arrangements have been made, and vendors already confirmed, couples may choose to have a (non-legal) commitment ceremony on their proposed ceremony date and then marry legal once the required 1 month notice has been observed.
