The legal steps for getting married in Scotland, in order. Scotland has its own marriage law: a notice to the registrar, then a marriage schedule signed at the ceremony.
General guidance, not legal advice. These steps cover Scotland, which has its own marriage law. Confirm specifics, fees and timings with your local registration authority or on mygov.scot.
About 6 months before the wedding
A registrar conducts civil ceremonies. Religious and belief celebrants (including humanist celebrants authorised in Scotland) can conduct legally binding ceremonies at almost any indoor or outdoor venue. Independent civil celebrants can't legally marry you. You'll need two witnesses aged 16 or over.
Who can marry you in ScotlandAbout 17 weeks before the wedding
Each of you needs a full birth or adoption certificate, a valid passport (or proof of nationality), and proof of where you live, such as a recent utility bill. If either of you was married before, add the divorce decree or a death certificate. Documents not in English need a certified translation.
About 11 weeks before the wedding
Each of you submits your own notice to the registrar for the district where you'll marry. You can give notice up to 3 months ahead, and the legal minimum is 29 days (28 clear days) before the wedding. Councils recommend 10 to 12 weeks. The fee is about £45 each (as of writing).
Notice, forms and feesAbout 6 weeks before the wedding
Check the registrar is satisfied and that your schedule collection is arranged. If you're using a religious or belief celebrant, ask the registrar to confirm they're authorised.
About 5 days before the wedding
For a religious or belief ceremony, one of you collects the marriage schedule from the registrar. It can't be issued more than 7 days before the wedding, and your celebrant must have it at the ceremony or the marriage can't go ahead. For a civil ceremony the registrar brings it.
On the day
Straight after the ceremony, both of you, your celebrant and your two witnesses sign the schedule in permanent ink. Decide who is looking after it until it's returned.
Within about 2 days after the wedding
The signed schedule must reach the registrar within 3 days of the ceremony so the marriage can be registered. Usually your celebrant arranges it, but confirm that it's done.
Within about 14 days after the wedding
Once the marriage is registered, order certified copies. You'll need them for name changes, passports, banks and insurance.
In Scotland only registrars conduct civil ceremonies. Independent civil celebrants can't legally marry you.
Humanist and other belief ceremonies are legally binding in Scotland when the celebrant is authorised (for example through the Humanist Society Scotland). Ask your celebrant to confirm their status.