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Legal Requirements for Weddings in Scotland
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Legal Requirements for Weddings in Scotland
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- What are the legal requirements for getting married in Scotland?
- What paperwork needs completing prior to our wedding?
- What are the different ceremonies I could choose from?
- Are the legal preliminaries the same for all these ceremonies?
- How much does it cost to have a ceremony performed by a Registrar?
- How much does it cost to have a Non-Religious Celebrant or a Minister perform a ceremony at the venue of our choice?
- What Documents will I need?
- Where do I submit these documents?
- When do I need to submit the documents?
- How much does this cost?
- Do they accept credit cards?
- Can Highland Country Weddings submit this amount on our behalf?
- I am sending original documents. How soon can I expect these back from the Registrar?
- Can I submit documents in a foreign language?
- Where can I obtain a certified translation?
- I have submitted all documents. Will we need to present ourselves to the Registrar prior to the wedding ceremony?
- I am having a civil ceremony. Do we need to have a Marriage Schedule?
- After the wedding ceremony, do I need to do anything with the marriage papers?
- Will our marriage be legal and recognized in all countries too?
- How soon after my wedding will I receive the marriage certificate?
- Do I need a visa for my visit to Scotland?
- How long does a wedding visa last?
- What is a Certificate of no-impediment and do I need this?
- Does everyone need to submit a certificate of no impediment?
- Where do I obtain this?
- I am divorced. What divorce documents does the Registrar require?
- I have a foreign divorce. Is there anything I need to submit with this?
RENEWAL OF VOWS AND COMMITMENT CEREMONIES
- Do I need any special documents for a renewal of vows or a commitment ceremony?
- Can you help me write special vows or expressions of love for my ceremony?
HIGHLAND COUNTRY WEDDINGS SERVICES
- Why should I choose Highland Country Weddings to help me organise my wedding?
- Can you arrange accommodation for ourselves and our wedding party?
- Can I get married anywhere in Scotland?
- Will there a be local Highland Country Weddings contact when I am in Scotland for my wedding, before and after the ceremony?
- Will Highland Country Weddings staff be present during the ceremony?
- Can you offer me a choice of minister, photographer, videographer, florist and other suppliers?
- How much will my wedding cost?
- We have a limited budget. Can you arrange a simple wedding?
- Do you have agents in my home country who speak my language?
- Will Highland Country Weddings guide me through the process of completing and submitting all the necessary documents?
- Can Highland Country Weddings arrange activities for ourselves and our guests to take part in during our stay?
- Is Scotland a popular place for weddings?
- Where can I find information about visiting Scotland?
- What can I see and do in Scotland?
- What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
What are the legal requirements for getting married in Scotland?
Getting married in Scotland couldn't be simpler and easier. There is no residential requirement prior to your wedding date. Moreover, you can marry wherever you like - in an ancient castle, in a remote crofter's cottage or even on a beautiful loch side beach! And, the marriage is valid and legal in every country.What paperwork needs completing prior to our wedding?
There are some documents to be completed prior to your wedding date. We want to spell out the ease with which this is done. Of course, if you come with Highland Country Weddings we will guide you every step of the way and liaise with the various celebrants and registrars on your behalf. There will be no chance of missing out anything!CEREMONIES
What are the different ceremonies I could choose from?
- Civil Ceremony - can take place in a registration office or at an approved venue. Many venues are approved (see list) This ceremony is non-religious in nature and performed by a Registrar.
- Religious Ceremony - can take place anywhere. Any venue and any outside area. Highland Country Weddings will organize a Minister at your venue of choice. We will ensure that you will be in contact with the Minister right from the beginning about how you want your ceremony to be.
- Non-Religious Celebrant Ceremony - This is the most flexible of all ceremonies. You can choose to have a Humanist Celebrant who will liaise with you from the beginning and interact with you on the details of your personalized ceremony. The ceremony includes vows devised by the couple, music, readings and any other symbolic actions the couple choose to make.
Are the legal preliminaries the same for all these ceremonies?
Yes, there is no difference. Both of you will be required to complete a marriage notice form with fees and other documents to the Registrar of the district of where the marriage is to take place. (see Documents)How much does it cost to have a ceremony performed by a Registrar?
The cost to perform a civil ceremony at a Registrar's office is £103.50 (including fee for legal paperwork submission) The cost to have a Registrar perform the civil ceremony at a venue of your choice (provided it is licenced to do so) varies from office to office. Highland Country Weddings can contact the area registrar on your behalf to determine the exact fee.How much does it cost to have a Non-Religious Celebrant or a Minister perform a ceremony at the venue of our choice?
This usually runs between £200 and £300, depending on distance and day of the week. There is an additional fee for the legal paperwork of £58.50 (see Documents).DOCUMENTS
What Documents will I need?
Papers which must be completed and submitted to the Registrar for each person include:
- Marriage Notice Form (M10) (downloadable form)
- Birth Certificates (original or certified copies, which must be in the English Language or translated certified copies)
- Divorce Papers , if applicable (Original Decree Absolute or certified copies also in the English Language or translated certified copies) and for non-UK residents, the completion of the Form for persons submitting foreign divorce papers. (For more details on this see Divorce below)
Where do I submit these documents?
These need to be submitted to the Registrar closest to the location of your wedding ceremony (view list of registrars). Alternatively, Highland Country Weddings can do this on your behalf.When do I need to submit the documents?
Documents will need to be submitted to the area Registrar no sooner than 3 months prior to your wedding and no later than 15 days prior to your wedding. It is imperative that you apply within this timescale because if your papers are not with the Registrar 15 days before your wedding day, the Registrar is not obliged to process them and your wedding will not take place.How much does this cost?
The cost to process the 'legal paperwork' is £58.50 (plus 50p postage, for marriage certificate to be posted abroad).Do they accept credit cards?
Some Registrars do. Please check with Highland Country Weddings. Normally, the Registrar will request a cheque drawn upon a British bank, or a draft cheque in pounds that your bank can draw up.Can Highland Country Weddings submit this amount on our behalf?
Yes, we can for most Registrars. Please check with us.I am sending original documents. How soon can I expect these back from the Registrar?
The Registrar will need to check and verify the document and will return to you - almost by return mail. You should receive these back usually within a week of them arriving at the Registrar's office.Can I submit documents in a foreign language?
If any document is in a language other than English, you must also provide a certified translation into English.Where can I obtain a certified translation?
Please check with your local authority who will be able to advise you.
1st Choice Translations offer English/German translations.I have submitted all documents. Will we need to present ourselves to the Registrar prior to the wedding ceremony?
Yes, legally at least one of you will be required to pick up your marriage schedule (the document prepared for your marriage) from the Registrar. You will need to bring this to your wedding ceremony. The schedule is a most important document - no marriage can proceed without it.I am having a civil ceremony. Do we need to have a Marriage Schedule?
A marriage schedule is drawn up and issued in the same manner as any other wedding and again at least one member of the couple will need to present themselves before the Registrar prior to the wedding.After the wedding ceremony, do I need to do anything with the marriage papers?
This document is signed during the ceremony by the couple (the bride uses her maiden name), the celebrant and the two witnesses. It must be returned to the Registrar within 3 days of the wedding ceremony. You, the best man or a member of the wedding party can do this, or Highland Country Weddings will do it on your behalf. One of us will be at your wedding and we would be more than happy to get this document to the Registrar in time.Will our marriage be legal and recognized in all countries too?
Yes, absolutely - in all countries.How soon after my wedding will I receive the marriage certificate?
You will receive this by mail, usually within the month.Do I need a visa for my visit to Scotland?
From February 1st, 2005 all couples wishing to marry in Scotland/UK, who are citizens of a country that is not a member of the European Economic Area, will need to apply for a marriage visa. Obtaining a marriage visa is straightforward (click here for details) Or, you should contact the nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. Contact Highland Country Weddings for further information. It is a straightforward procedure and should not take more than 10 working days by mail to process (same day in person). You will be required to mail a copy of this Visa to the Registrar together with the M10 forms.How long does a wedding visa last?
In Scotland, it lasts for 3 months (full details given here)CERTIFICATE OF NO IMPEDIMENT
What is a Certificate of no-impediment and do I need this?
If you are domiciled in another country, outside the United Kingdom, a certificate of no impediment should be issued by your local competent authority, which states that you are free to marry.Does everyone need to submit a certificate of no impediment?
No, UK nationals and nationals from the United States of America, Canada and Australia do not need to submit certificates of no impediment to marry in Scotland.Where do I obtain this?
From your local civil authority offices. If the certificate is in a language other than in English you should also produce a certified translation.DIVORCE
I am divorced. What divorce documents does the Registrar require?
The divorce documents must relate to a final decree and should have an original certification from the issuing authority. This should be submitted at the same time as you submit your documents.I have a foreign divorce. Is there anything I need to submit with this?
Yes, this should accompany the answers to a list of questions on the Form for persons submitting foreign divorce papers. And, remember to have this translated if it is not in English, and certified.WITNESSES
How many witnesses are required? Can HIGHLAND COUNTRY WEDDINGS provide witnesses if we do not have guests?
2 witnesses (16 or over) must be present at the wedding ceremony. They are required whether religious, civil or non-religious. Yes, Highland Country Weddings can provide 2 witnesses.RENEWAL OF VOWS AND COMMITMENT CEREMONIES
Do I need any special documents for a renewal of vows or a commitment ceremony?
There is no legal documentation required in relation to the ceremonies, but you may a need a visitor's visa, depending on your nationality and country of residence. The UK Visas website gives you an instant indication of whether you will need a visitor's visa.Can you help me write special vows or expressions of love for my ceremony?
Yes, you can have a unique ceremony written with and for you by a professional writer.HIGHLAND COUNTRY WEDDINGS SERVICES
Why should I choose Highland Country Weddings to help me organise my wedding?
We can help you every step of the way and take much of the burden of arranging such an important event from your shoulders. Click here to see what we can do for you. You can also read testimonials from previous weddings.Can you arrange accommodation for ourselves and our wedding party?
Yes. We can arrange whatever standard of accommodation you require, close to the wedding venue.Can I get married anywhere in Scotland?
Yes. We cover the whole of Scotland and can either suggest suitable venues for you or you can request a specific venue.Will there be a local Highland Country Weddings contact when I am in Scotland for my wedding, before and after the ceremony?
Yes. We will always be contactable at any time and will meet with you if you wishWill Highland Country Weddings staff be present during the ceremony?
Yes. A Highland Country Weddings representative will always be there to guide you through the day, iron out any last minute hitches and liaise with all the other people, from celebrant to photographer to piper, who will help to make your wedding a day to remember forever.Can you offer me a choice of minister, photographer, videographer, florist and other suppliers?
Yes of course. We have contacts with a wide number of first class suppliers in every region of Scotland, and will work with you to find the best ones for you.How much will my wedding cost?
For an idea of what you could get for your money, click here.We have a limited budget. Can you arrange a simple wedding?
Yes. However small or large your budget, we can arrange a wedding to fit your pocket (visit our costs page).Do you have agents in my home country who speak my language?
We have international agents in a number of countries who will discuss all your requirements, in your own language in many cases, with you by phone or email.Will Highland Country Weddings guide me through the process of completing and submitting all the necessary documents?
Yes. We will make sure that all the correct documentation is in place at the correct time for your wedding to go ahead smoothly. Our international agents will help you with this process where appropriate.Can Highland Country Weddings arrange activities for ourselves and our guests to take part in during our stay?
Yes. Whether you fancy sporting activities, guided tours, theatre visits, or some luxury pampering, Highland Country Weddings will arrange whatever takes your fancy.GENERAL
Is Scotland a popular place for weddings?
Yes. The Scottish Executive figures show that there were more weddings in Scotland in 2004 than in any year since 1994. The increase was mainly 'tourist' weddings, where neither bride nor groom were a Scottish resident.Where can I find information about visiting Scotland?
VisitScotland have tourist information for the whole of Scotland.What can I see and do in Scotland?
These websites will give you plenty of ideas.
- The Internet Guide to Scotland
- Glasgow TV
- Glasgow West End: Pat's guide to what's best in the West
- Edinburgh Festival
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions
What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?
Ah, that's a secret! You'll have to ask one on the day.Useful links:
For Legal Services regarding the preparation of your Will, contact us for a list of recommended consultants
who are members of the Society of Will Writers (UK).
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