The Marriage Schedule

When satisfied there is no legal impediment to the marriage, the registrar will prepare a Marriage Schedule from the information you have provided them. The Schedule is an extremely important document - no marriage can proceed without it.

• If you are having a religious marriage the Marriage Schedule will be issued to you by the registrar. The Schedule cannot be issued more than seven days before the marriage and the registrar will advise you when to call. The Schedule cannot be collected on your behalf by a relative or friend - the registrar will issue it only to the prospective bride or bridegroom
• The marriage Schedule must be produced before the marriage ceremony to the person performing the marriage
• Immediately after the ceremony the Schedule must be signed by both parties, by the person performing the marriage and by two witnesses. Thereafter it must be returned to the registrar within three days so that they can register the marriage
• If you are having a civil marriage a Marriage Schedule will not be issued, but the registrar will have it available at the marriage ceremony for signature. Subsequently they will register the marriage
• A fee for the civil marriage is payable to the registrar in advance

If One Or Both Parties Live In England Or Wales

If you live in England or Wales and intend to marry:

• (i) a person residing in Scotland, or
• (ii) a person residing in England or Wales who has a parent residing in Scotland,

You may give notice of marriage to the superintendent registrar in the district of England or Wales in which you reside. The person you are marrying should, however, give notice in Scotland in the usual way. The certificate issued by the superintendent registrar in England or Wales should be sent to the registrar in Scotland where the marriage is to be held. This certificate will avoid the need for the partner living in England or Wales to give notice in Scotland.

You should seek the advice of the superintendent registrar if you wish to proceed in this way.

If You Are Domiciled Outside The United Kingdom

The normal procedure of giving notice to the registrar in Scotland must be followed but as previously mentioned an additional requirement is placed upon you.

• If, being domiciled in a country outside the UK, you are subject to the marriage laws of that country you should obtain if practicable, a certificate issued by the competent authority (usually the civil authority) in that country to the effect that there is no impediment to your proposed marriage. If the certificate is in a language other than English you should also produce a certified translation
• If you fail to show such a certificate without good reason, it may not be possible for you to marry in Scotland
• If you are now resident in the UK and have lived here for the last 2 years or more you need not submit such a certificate

This guide is issued for general guidance and is not a complete statement of the law. For further information on any aspect of the formalities to, or the ceremony of marriage, please seek the advice of the superintendent registrar at the local register office. Their telephone number and address can be found in your local telephone directory under 'Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.