Step 1 - Choosing How, When and Where

HOW - Types of marriage

The first step in planning and arranging a marriage ceremony is to decide what kind of marriage you would like. You can married in 2 ways in Scotland - by a religious or belief ceremony or by a civil ceremony conducted by a Registrar.

A civil marriage may take place in a registration office or at any place agreed between the registration authority and the couple and may be solemnised only by a registrar or an assistant registrar who is authorised by the Registrar General for that purpose.

A religious or belief marriage, may take place anywhere and can be solemnised only by a minister, clergyman, pastor, priest or other person approved to do so under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977.

HOW - Types of Civil Partnership

A civil partnership registration may take place in a registration office or at an approved place and may be registered only by a registrar or an assistant registrar who is authorised by the Registrar General for that purpose.

WHERE - Choosing WHERE to have your ceremony

The next step is to decide where you would like to be married and the date.

• Choose the Gretna Registration Office for your ceremony. You should telephone the Registrar direct and check the availability of your preferred date and cost prior to completing the M10s (Marriage Notices) (opens new window) or CP10s (Civil Partnership Notices) (opens new window).  Please make sure you read the guidance notes for marriage or guidance notes for civil partnership before completing the forms.

If your ceremony is more than 3 months ahead, you may wish to secure the date and time of your ceremony at Gretna Registration Office in order to proceed with other arrangements i.e. wedding reception, honeymoon etc. If you would like to make an advance booking for a ceremony up to one year ahead please contact the registration office to make a booking.

• If you choose an approved venue for your ceremony then you should telephone that venue direct and check the availability of your preferred date. The venue will make arrangements on your behalf for a Registrar to conduct the ceremony.
• If you opt for a religious marriage (which includes other belief systems) then you should contact the venue and also the person you wish to conduct the ceremony to ensure their availability. If you are planning a religious ceremony you will be required to attend the registrars office within 7 days of the date of your marriage to pick up the marriage schedule, which will allow the marriage to proceed

WHEN - Choosing WHEN to have your ceremony

Timing is important. Once you have determined a date you will need to ensure the legal requirements to your marriage or civil partnership are fulfilled. In every case you will need to do the following:-

1. Lodge your intention to marry or to enter in to a civil partnership with the Registrar in the district where it is taking place. This is done by each party completing an M10 form (Marriage Notice) (opens new window) for marriage or a CP10 form (Civil Partnership) (opens new window) for a civil partnership.

The minimum notice period is 29 days for both a marriage and civil partnership. Please be aware if you leave things late you could be faced with the need to postpone your ceremony.

The marriage notice form and civil partnership form may be downloaded or issued from any Registrar's office in Scotland. The notice forms must be sent to the Registrar's Office where your marriage or civil partnership is taking place. The forms can be handed in or posted along with any other necessary documents and fees.

2. Although both parties do not need to attend personally to hand in your notice forms, if you are planning a religious marriage, you must attend the registrar's office within 7 days of the date of your marriage to collect the marriage schedule. This is required to allow the marriage to proceed.