Marriage Registration

A marriage notice has to be lodged with the Registrar in whose district the marriage is to take place. This must be done not less than 14 clear days before the proposed date of marriage, and not more than three months before the date. You may, however, make provisional arrangements for your civil marriage with the Registrar at an earlier date.

Ideally each party should deliver their own marriage notice to the Registrar but a relative or other person can deliver it on their behalf. However, both parties may be required to attend the Registrar's office to clear up any queries which may arise.

What documents should I take to the Registrar?

• Marriage Notice Forms (M10's)
  The leaflet RM1 is very helpful for Guidance to Marriage in Scotland. Marriage Notices can also be obtained from any registration office in Scotland or from General Register Office
• Form for additional information including Witnesses names
• Birth certificates
• Passports maybe required
• Divorce papers if you or your partner have been previously married
• Death certificate if you or your partner is widowed
• A foreign national may have to submit other documentation. Contact a Registration Office or visit the General Register Office for Scotland website for further information
• If any document is written in a language other than English it should be accompanied by an authorised translation

Please note if you are sending in your documents, call and check that they have arrived safely

Documents issued by the Registrar

• For a religious marriage, a marriage schedule. This will only be issued to the bride or groom up to 7 days before the marriage. For a civil marriage the Registrar is responsible for the schedule. the schedule is a very important document and great care should be taken of it
• A marriage certificate, if requested and paid for, is issued once the marriage schedule is returned and the marriage is registered