Legal Issues
Marriage and Partnership Schedules
In order for a marriage or partnership to be legally recognised, the marriage schedule must be present and completed during the ceremony. To obtain a marriage/ civil partnership schedule, both parties to the wedding are required to submit notice of their intention to wed to the registrar of the district in which the marriage is to take place. Notice must be must be given in the three-month period prior to the date of the marriage/ partnership and not later than 15 days before that date.
If you are celebrating a religious or humanist marriage, the bride or bridegroom must collect the marriage schedule within seven days before the marriage is due to take place. The marriage schedule must be present during the marriage ceremony during which it will be signed by the bride and bridegroom, the celebrant and two witnesses. Thereafter, it must be returned to the registrars office within three days so that s/he can register the marriage.
If you are celebrating a civil marriage or partnership, the registrar will bring the marriage/ civil partnership schedule to the wedding ceremony and the registrar will then register the marriage/ partnership.
To fully acquaint yourself with the legal process you will need to contact a local Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths or the General Register Office in Scotland .