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Getting Married in Scotland

I want to get married in Scotland. How do I go about it?

(Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (pdf)):

• Information leaflet RM1 - Marriage in Scotland (43 Kb pdf file)
• Additional documentation required when giving notice of marriage (20 Kb pdf file)
• Form M10 - (to be completed by persons wishing to marry in Scotland) (62 Kb pdf file)
• Guidance Notes to Help You Complete the Marriage Notice Application Form M10 (41 Kb pdf file)
• Form for Witness Details (to be completed if you have chosen your witnesses) (32kb pdf file)
• Questions to be answered by parties who submit foreign divorce documents if previously married (14 Kb pdf file)
• Questions to be answered by persons who submit foreign dissolution/annulment documents if previously in a registered civil partnership (16 kb pdf file)
• Marriage in Scotland - what you would pay (14.5 Kb pdf file)  
• Approved Places for Civil Marriage - by Council (86 Kb pdf file)
• Approved Places for Civil Marriage - by Place Name (98 Kb pdf file)
• Marriage Rooms in Scotland (Photographs of marriage rooms in some Scottish Registration Offices)
• Directory of Registrars in Scotland (60 Kb pdf file)

GROSLocate

GROSLocate allows you to find all local registration offices and approved places in Scotland, along with contact details and directions.

The RM1 leaflet should answer most of your questions, but please bear in mind the following points:

• Always telephone the selected local Registrar before filling in form M10.

• If you want a civil rather than religious marriage (which includes other belief systems), the Registrar will be able to help you choose a day and time, and tell you what fees you are likely to pay.

• It will also enable you to confirm what form of payment the Registrar can accept.

• Both parties to the marriage should provide the Registrar with a postal address and a contact telephone number (and if possible, a fax number).

• You must post (not email) the completed forms to arrive normally 4-6 weeks before the date of the proposed marriage and certainly no later than 15 days before.  You must include:

  • the questionnaire if you are submitting divorce or dissolution documents from outside the United Kingdom;
  • original or certified copies of documents provided by the issuing authority;
  • the Witness Details form (if you have chosen your witnesses);
  • the appropriate payment to the relevant local Registrar (not to the General Register Office for Scotland).  The registrar will not be able to accept forms without payment.

• If you want a religious marriage (which includes other belief systems) the marriage schedule needs to be personally collected from the Registrar no more than seven days prior to the date of marriage during office hours.

• If you are outside the British Isles the Registrar may ask to see your valid passport or other document allowing you to be in the country.

• From 1 February 2005, if you are visiting the United Kingdom (UK) to be married and you are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Economic Area, you will need to apply for a visa before you travel (this only applies if your marriage notice is received by the registrar on or after 1 February 2005). If you do not get a visa the registrar will not be able to accept your notice of marriage and you will not be able to marry in the UK. Obtaining a visa should be straight forward. For more information visit the UK Visas website where there is guidance for "Visitors" or contact your nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission for advice.

• If you are already in the UK, and you are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Economic Area, you will need the approval of the Home Secretary to be married here. This will be provided in the form of a certificate of approval. For more information call the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau or write to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. Their telephone number and contact address are on their website.

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