Getting Married in Scotland

Because every love story starts somewhere.

Getting married in Scotland can be simple and stress free if you are prepared for the process and know what to expect.

As destination wedding planning experts, we will outline the key things to know about how to get married in Scotland and arrange a Scottish destination wedding.

The good news is that people from all over the world, of all faiths and sexualities can easily be married anywhere in Scotland. In Scotland it is possible to have both a legal and non-legal ceremony to symbolise your marriage to one another.

Scroll down for information on both legal wedding ceremonies and non-legal wedding ceremonies.

LEGAL WEDDINGS IN SCOTLAND

There are four types of legal ceremonies that you can have in Scotland, these are;

  • Civil - Conducted by an official from the local government office, appointed to you by them

  • Humanist - Conducted by a non-religious person, chosen by you

  • Religious - Conducted by a person of a religion of your choosing, who practices in Scotland

  • Multi-faith - Conducted by a person who has respect for all faiths, chosen by you

If you intend to be legally married in Scotland, you must meet the following marriage criteria;

  • You and your partner must both be single, divorced, widowed or have dissolved a previously legally recognised partnership.

  • You must be over the age of sixteen.

  • You must not be closely related to each other.

  • You must be capable of understanding the commitment of marriage.

In addition, if you wish to have a legal wedding in Scotland and are not a citizen of an EU country, you will also need;

  • A marriage visitors visa

  • A marriage licence (Also known a a marriage schedule)

Please note, you can apply from 6 months prior to your entry to the UK for your Wedding and no earlier. There are no requirements surrounding your amount of time in the country prior to your Wedding but you must be able to show your original ID documents to the civil office issuing your marriage license in person, before your Wedding day.

If you are having a Religious or Humanist Ceremony, you will be required to collect the Marriage license in person on the days leading up to your Wedding (It must be at least one of you!) from the registry office local to your venue.

Once you have applied for your marriage visitors visa, you can then begin to make an application to be married to the registry office local to your venue. You will have to submit a marriage notice form (one each) along with witness details and information about past marriages to the registry office to apply for a license to get married. The marriage notice forms MUST be submitted no later than 29 days before your Wedding.

Other arrangements apply if you intend to come to the UK to get married, or have a civil partnership, and settle here - you should check the UK Visa website for more information about that.

If you wish to have a legal wedding and are a citizen of the UK or an EU country, you will need;

  • A marriage licence (Also known as a marriage schedule)

Please note, you can apply from 3 months prior to your intended Wedding date and no earlier. You must be able to show your original ID documents to the civil office issuing your marriage license in person, before your Wedding day.

You will have to submit a marriage notice form (one each) along with witness details and information about past marriages to the registry office to apply for a license to get married. The marriage notice forms MUST be submitted no later than 29 days before your Wedding.

AFTER YOUR LEGAL MARRIAGE

Once you have merrily said your “I Do’s” it is essential that your Marriage Schedule is returned to the local Registrar office to be processed.

If you choose to have a “Civil” ceremony, your Registrar will take the Marriage schedule with them when they leave your Wedding and you will have nothing else to arrange.

Should you choose a Religious/Belief or Humanist Ceremony, someone will have to return the signed Marriage schedule to the Registrar’s office no later than 7 days after your Wedding.

SYMBOLLIC, NON-LEGAL WEDDINGS AND VOW RENEWALS IN SCOTLAND

There are four types of symbolic, non-legal or vow renewal ceremonies that you can have in Scotland, these are;

  • Humanist - Conducted by a non-religious person, chosen by you

  • Religious - Conducted by a person of a religion of your choosing, who practices in Scotland

  • Multi-faith - Conducted by a person who has respect for all faiths, chosen by you

  • Officiated by a Loved one - Non-Legal ceremonies can be conducted by anyone you wish, such as a loved one, or close friend