Marriage Guide - Legal Requirements
For both civil and religious marriages in Scotland
Any two persons regardless of where they live, may marry in Scotland providing the following basic requirements are met:
- Both parties are at least 16 years of age on the day of their marriage.
- They are not related to each other within any of the forbidden degrees, except in certain relationships of affinity (an information lea.et RM1 will be issued to you explaining this in detail).
- They must be unmarried. If either has already been married, documentary evidence of the termination of the earlier marriage by death, divorce or annulment must be produced to the Registrar. Where either has already been married more than once, evidence of the termination of the most recent marriage only, is required.
- They must not be of the same sex.
- They must be capable of understanding the nature of the marriage ceremony and of the consenting to marriage.
- If either of the parties were domiciled outwith Scotland the marriage would not be allowed to take place if the marriage would be void under the law of his or her country of domicile.
Persons who may solemnise marriages
You can be married in Scotland either by:
- a religious ceremony or
- a civil ceremony.
A religious marriage may be solemnised by a minister, clergyman, priest or any other person entitled under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977.
A civil marriage may be solemnised by an authorised Registrar or Assistant Registrar who has been specifically appointed by the Registrar General.
Next - Planning your wedding
- Civil marriage ceremony
- Religious marriages
- Registration offices - index of offices
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