How to get married in Scotland

Can I get married in Scotland?

Are you over the age of 16, not already married to someone else, not related to each other (yikes) and capable of consenting to marrying? Yes? Then (bar the paperwork) you’re good to go. Same sex marriage has been legal in Scotland since 2014 and Civil Partnerships are available for any couple who prefers that option.

Where do I start?

You need a date and a location for your ceremony.

You need someone to legally marry you. In Scotland, you can be married by a registrar or an approved religious or humanist celebrant. You should check your chosen officiant/celebrant is approved to conduct legal weddings under the Marriage (Scotland) Act, 1977.

You also require two witnesses, also over the age of 16.

Got all that. Now what?

As with all major life decisions, there is paperwork and it is vitally important that you submit the correct paperwork for your country of origin. We strongly recommend you read the marriage guide by National Records Scotland and, if you’re coming from abroad or are subject to immigration control, the relevant pages on the UK Government website.

It is your responsibility to ensure you both have the correct documentation in place to allow you to enter the UK and get legally married.

Everyone who wishes to be married in Scotland must submit M10 (Marriage Notice Forms) to the registrar nearest their ceremony location. You can submit them no earlier than 3 months before your wedding date and no later than 29 days before.

You will also be required to provide supporting documentation such as (but not limited to):

Passports

Full birth certificates (and official translations if not in English)

Divorce/death paperwork if appropriate

Proof of residency

Declaration of Status with appropriate Visa/proof of immigration status or relevant nationality (non-UK residents)

Contact the registrar to confirm what documentation they want from you, where to send it and how to pay the fee.

Non-UK residents also require a Marriage Visitor Visa which is obtained from the Home Office. It’s an online process but you will need to visit a Visa Application Centre in your home country to provide your passports and biometric information. You should start this process as soon as you are able (see Gov.uk for timescales), and be aware that there are additional costs. These vary, country to country.

If you are a non-UK resident who is planning to remain and live in the UK following your wedding, you require a different Visa and should visit the Home Office website for relevant immigration information.

Anything else I need to think about?

At some point in the week before your wedding, you will need to go, in person, to the registrar to whom you submitted your paperwork to collect your Marriage Schedule. It cannot be collected by anyone else and, if you submitted copies of your supporting documentation, you may need to present the originals. Registration office opening hours vary so factor that into your travel plans.

You must bring your Marriage Schedule to your wedding as the ceremony cannot proceed without it. Don’t forget it. It’s just a very expensive party if you do.

You, your celebrant and your witnesses will sign your Marriage Schedule immediately after you are married. This must be done in ‘the best quality permanent black fountain pen ink’. Your celebrant should provide the appropriate pen.

You have three days (not three working days) to return your signed Marriage Schedule to the registrar. Someone else can hand it in for you, ideally someone trustworthy. Not him. And definitely not him.

What if we’re already married?

Legally, you can’t be married again but what you can do is celebrate your wedding, exactly how you want. Scottish traditions aren’t limited to legal ceremonies so why not renew your vows with an intimate handfast ceremony in spectacular scenery, or gather your favourites, renew your vows and have a whisky-fuelled ceilidh dancing hoolie! We have the most extraordinary people in our directory who can help make your Scottish wedding dreams come true and we can’t wait to welcome you to our wee country!

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Images by Love Skye Photography