Marriage Registration
The preliminaries are the same whether you plan to have a religious or a civil marriage ceremony.
In the case of a civil ceremony you should contact the Registrar as soon as you have decided on a date. Our offices are at:
In the case of a religious ceremony you should make your arrangements with the person who will be carrying out the marriage.
Forms
Any forms you need can be picked up from these offices or an be downloaded from
these pages. Either go to the relevant section or go the downloads section at
the end. These can be delivered to any of the offices above either in person
or by post. Please ensure you send any relevant payment with your completed
forms.
Before the wedding
The bride and groom must each complete a marriage notice form. These notice
forms must be lodged 4-6 weeks before the wedding and can be picked up from
the Registration Office for the district where the marriage will take place.
(It does not matter where the couples live). They can also be downloaded here
on www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
Both parties must produce their birth certificates and proof that any previous marriage has ended. (Please note that photocopies of documents are not acceptable for marriage purposes in Scotland). People who are subject to the laws of another country may also be required to produce additional certificates from that country. Please contact any of the offices for more information.
Statutory fees
are payable for lodging marriage notices and a marriage certificate and, in
the case of a civil wedding, for the ceremony. Follow the link here for
fees
for civil marriages within the Registrar's office
religious marriage fees
fees for civil marriages taking place in approved
venues
fees for civil partnership registrations in
a Registrars office
fees for civil partnership registrations
taking place in approved venues
For Civil marriages in a Registrars Office there may also be an additional fee for use of the rooms. Please contact the individual office to check this.
For Civil marriages in Approved premises there is also a charge for the Registrars attendance.
Civil Weddings
in Approved Venues
Couples can now choose to have their civil marriage ceremony in any of the
Approved Venues throughout the City. A list of Approved Venues is held by the
Chief Registrar at India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh, phone 220 0349.
It is not possible for a Registrar to conduct a marriage in premises which have
not applied for, and been granted an Approval. Click here for a list
of the venues together with links to their own websites.
Couples getting married in approved venues must still lodge marriage notice forms with the Registrar. These are available from www.gro-scotland.gov.uk Additional information is also required. Please download the civil marriage requirement form here.
Approved venues cannot confirm dates for marriages without ensuring a Registrar will be available on the specified date. The venue will issue couples with a Form AP1, which must be taken to the Registrar who will confirm the arrangement.
Venues wishing to be approved for civil marriages need to apply to the Chief Registrar at India Buildings. You can download the necessary forms here.
Guidance
notes
Temporary
venue approval
Venue
approval
Downloads
marriage notice forms
-
www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
Guidance
notes for venues
Temporary
venue approval
Venue
approval
List of approved venues for civil marriages
Additional
information for those getting married in approved venues.
Application
for a marriage certificate - please send your fee of £13.50
Further information
more
on weddings
go to births
go to deaths