When making arrangements, you should:
- plan in advance with a registrar, if you’re having a civil ceremony
- contact the person performing the ceremony before completing any forms or documents
- arrange for witnesses
You can chose to have a religious or belief celebrant, or a registrar to conduct your ceremony. If you chose a religious or belief celebrant, check with your local registrar that they are authorised to conduct the ceremony.
Read more guidance about getting married in Scotland.
For your ceremony, you’ll need to arrange the:
Ceremonies in Scotland may take place at any indoor or outdoor location, as long as it’s accessible to your chosen celebrant or registrar.
Plan in advance with a registrar
For a civil marriage or civil partnership registration, plan ahead with the registrar in the local authority area where you want to get married. This is particularly important if the ceremony is to be held in a popular area.
Find a registrar
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Contact the person performing the ceremony
You should contact the person performing the marriage before completing any forms. This is to ensure you have arrangements agreed first.
Before booking your celebrant or registrar, check with them that they can perform the type of ceremony that aligns with your beliefs.
Let the person performing the ceremony or registration know if you change your plans or decide to postpone.
Booking the registrar is not the same as submitting notice. You’ll still need to complete the appropriate forms.
Arrange witnesses
Arrange for two people aged 16 years or over to be present during the event, to act as witnesses. You’ll need this for all types or ceremony or registration.
Surprise ceremonies
‘Surprise’ marriages or civil partnerships are not possible in Scotland. If you don’t give proper notice, your marriage or registration can be either:
- postponed
- prevented from proceeding
By law both parties must submit notice forms to the registrar of the area where the registration is to take place. This means both parties must:
- be aware of this
- independently complete and sign the declaration on the form
