Legal steps

Obtaining a marriage schedule

To obtain the marriage schedule, both parties submit notice of 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 28 days before that date.

In order for a marriage or partnership to be legally recognised, the marriage schedule must be present and completed during the ceremony.

For more information about the legal process contact a local Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths or the National Records of Scotland.

Religious or humanist marriage

  • One of the partners to the marriage 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 both partners, the celebrant and two witnesses.
  • It must be returned to the registrar's office within three days so that s/he can register the marriage.
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.