The Legal Bit - what you need to do 'legally' to get married in Scotland

Congratulations on your engagement!  What a wonderful journey you have ahead of you in not only planning your wedding but of course, in marrying the one you love! 

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In Scotland, you can marry quite literally anywhere!  Up a tree, a hill, beside a Loch or the Sea, a beautiful venue or your own back garden!  The options are endless!  However in order for it to be a legal marriage, there is a process you will have to follow to enable you to do so - no matter where you want to marry!

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You will need to apply to get married.  And for the most part it's a straight-forward process, if somewhat a little bit 'bitty'!  But the main thing here is to not stress, worry or become anxious over it - it really is a simple thing to do! 

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You can apply to get married no sooner than 12 weeks before your wedding date and no later than 29 days before your big day.  You have to apply to the registrar that is closest to the place that you are getting married - so not the one closest to your home, unless you are getting married there - and you will each have to fill out a form called 'M10' (marriage notice form), alongside a 'Celebrant and Witness Form'.

These forms will be submitted to the Registrar along with some supporting documentation:  Your passport (for proof of ID); your birth certificate; a utility bill or drivers license (for proof of address) and if applicable, your divorce decree or spouse death certificate - alongside other paperwork if additional circumstances apply (for example, you do not normally reside in Scotland).  

You will both be required to attend any appointments during the application process together, however only one of you is needed to collect the Wedding Schedule itself - this is the certificate that you will sign with your Celebrant and witnesses on your wedding day - and you will collect this within the 7 days before your wedding (a date that will be arranged with the Registrar).   Once you are all married, you have to return this schedule to the Registrar so that your Marriage Certificate can be created - and this has to happen within 3 days of your wedding ceremony.  Without following this process, your marriage will not be legally binding and I, as a celebrant, cannot conduct a legal ceremony.   ​

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As your Celebrant and Legal Marriage Officer, I will keep you guided with all of this, including giving you all the necessary links, forms and guidance in order for you to apply and within the time frame you need to.  It really is the most easy process - albeit a very important one!  And all humanist weddings in Scotland conducted by me are fully legal - I'm authorised by the Fuze Foundation under the Marriage (Scotland) Act, 1977 to conduct these.  

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This is why it is important to ensure that the celebrant you book, has legal authorisation 

So let me help you get married - and support the amazing journey you are on!​