I am getting married – what do I need to arrange?
16 tasks in suggested order
1. Check that you can legally marry in England or Wales and choose the type of ceremony
In England and Wales both people must be 18 or over, not already married or in a civil partnership, and not closely related. If either person is from outside the UK or Ireland, immigration permission for marriage may also need checking.
Before booking the legal process or giving notice.
GOV.UK and the register office or authorised religious route for the planned ceremony.
Ages, current marital/civil-partnership status, relationship, nationality and immigration status where relevant.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules. Do not apply England/Wales notice rules to a ceremony elsewhere in the UK.
Official source: GOV.UK
2. Check the legal requirements for marriage in Scotland and choose the ceremony type
Scottish marriage rules and preliminaries are separate from England and Wales. Confirm that both parties can marry and decide whether the ceremony will be civil, religious or belief-based.
Before arranging the ceremony and submitting notice forms.
National Records of Scotland guidance and the registrar for the area where the ceremony will take place.
Ages, current marital/civil-partnership status, relationship, nationality and any immigration information relevant to the marriage.
If either person is normally resident in England or Wales and under 18, additional recognition/capacity rules can matter. Confirm the current Scottish route for your circumstances.
Official source: National Records of Scotland
3. Check that you can legally marry in Northern Ireland and choose the ceremony type
Northern Ireland has its own marriage rules. Check age, existing marriage/civil-partnership status, prohibited relationships and any consent or immigration rules that apply to your circumstances.
Before giving notice or making final ceremony arrangements.
nidirect and the registrar for the council district where the marriage will take place.
Age, marital/civil-partnership status, nationality, usual residence and immigration details where relevant.
A registrar cannot accept notice from a 16- or 17-year-old who has a home address in England or Wales. Recognition rules can also matter for couples connected to another jurisdiction.
Official source: nidirect
4. Choose the final venue and arrange the registrar or authorised ceremony route
Choose the final venue before giving notice. For a civil ceremony, arrange the registrar/approved venue process and two witnesses; religious routes can follow different preliminaries.
Before giving notice and early enough to secure the venue/registrar or authorised person.
The register office, approved venue or authorised religious venue for the ceremony.
Planned venue, date, ceremony type and contact details for the person or office conducting it.
Giving notice and booking a venue or registrar are separate steps.
Official source: GOV.UK
5. Arrange the place, date, celebrant or registrar and two witnesses in Scotland
Agree the ceremony arrangements with the registrar or authorised celebrant before completing the notice process. Two witnesses aged 16 or over are required.
Before submitting the notice forms and far enough in advance to secure the registrar or celebrant.
The registrar for the local-authority area of the ceremony, or the authorised religious/belief celebrant.
Place, date, time, ceremony type and two witnesses aged 16 or over.
Booking the registrar or celebrant is not the same as submitting legal notice; both parties must still submit the required notice forms.
Official source: National Records of Scotland
6. Choose the venue and arrange the registrar or authorised officiant and witnesses
For a civil ceremony, a registrar or deputy registrar conducts the marriage. Decide when and where it will take place and arrange two witnesses aged 16 or over.
Before giving notice, because the intended place and date are part of the arrangements.
The relevant district registrar for a civil ceremony, or the authorised officiant/venue for the chosen religious route.
Planned date, venue, ceremony type and two witnesses aged 16 or over.
Civil and religious marriages can have different ceremony arrangements, but legal notice still needs to be completed.
Official source: nidirect
7. Give legal notice at least 29 days before the ceremony
You normally give notice at your local register office. You usually must have lived in that registration district for the previous 7 days.
At least 29 days before the ceremony, and the ceremony must take place within 12 months of giving notice.
The local register office required by the notice rules; special arrangements apply in some immigration cases.
The documents required for notice and the final venue details.
If one of you is from outside the UK, the notice procedure can differ. Anglican weddings can also follow a different preliminary route.
Official source: GOV.UK
8. Submit both Scottish marriage notice forms in time for the registrar to process them
Both parties must independently complete and sign the required notice forms and submit them to the registrar for the area where the marriage will take place.
The registrar must receive valid notice at least 29 days before the ceremony; National Records of Scotland recommends planning roughly 10 to 12 weeks ahead where possible.
The registrar for the local-authority area where the ceremony will take place.
The completed notice forms, supporting documents and fees required by the registrar.
Do not leave notice until the minimum period if documents, immigration checks or previous marriages may require extra processing.
Official source: National Records of Scotland
9. Give Northern Ireland marriage notice within the required time
Both parties send the marriage notice forms, relevant documents, declarations and fees to the Registrar of Marriages for the council district where the marriage will take place.
Notice must be given within the 12 months before the marriage. Normally submit about 8 weeks before, or about 10 weeks before if either person was previously married or in a civil partnership. The statutory minimum is 28 days.
Registrar of Marriages for the council district where the marriage will take place.
Completed notice forms, required documents, declarations and fees.
Leaving notice until the 28-day minimum can risk postponement if the registrar cannot complete the checks in time.
Official source: nidirect
10. Prepare the original documents required for giving notice
The notice appointment requires original identity and address evidence, final venue details and proof of name changes where relevant. Extra documents apply after previous marriages/civil partnerships and for some non-UK nationals.
Before the notice appointment.
The register office where notice is given.
Original passport or qualifying UK birth evidence, proof of address, final venue details, proof of any name change, and any divorce/dissolution/death or immigration documents required for your case.
Non-English documents can require translations. The exact evidence depends on nationality, place/date of birth and previous relationship history.
Official source: GOV.UK
11. Prepare the Scottish notice forms and required original supporting documents
Each party must submit the required notice form and supporting evidence. The registrar may need birth/adoption evidence, proof of usual residence, passport/nationality evidence and documents about previous marriages or civil partnerships.
With the notice forms and early enough for the registrar to check the documents before the ceremony.
The registrar for the area where the ceremony will take place.
Marriage notice forms, birth/adoption evidence, usual-residence evidence, passport/nationality evidence and any divorce/dissolution/death or immigration documents that apply.
Ask the registrar about translations or additional evidence if documents were issued abroad.
Official source: National Records of Scotland
12. Prepare the documents required with Northern Ireland marriage notice
Send the documents required for the notice process, including identity/civil-status evidence and any additional documents for previous marriages, immigration status or documents issued abroad.
With the marriage notice forms, early enough for the registrar to check them.
Registrar of Marriages for the council district where the marriage will take place.
Birth/adoption and passport/identity evidence as required, prior-marriage or civil-partnership evidence where relevant, and certified English translations where required for foreign documents.
Ask the registrar about any extra evidence required for your nationality, immigration status or previous relationship history.
Official source: nidirect
13. Complete the ceremony, legal signatures and marriage registration
For a civil ceremony, at least two witnesses are required. The marriage document or schedule is completed and sent for registration, after which official certificates can be obtained.
On the ceremony date and immediately afterwards as required by the registration process.
At the ceremony venue and the relevant register office.
Witnesses and the documents/schedule arranged through the registrar or authorised person.
Religious and civil ceremonies have different procedural details; follow the route agreed with the registrar or authorised person.
Official source: GOV.UK
14. Make sure the marriage schedule is completed and returned for registration
A marriage schedule is required for the ceremony. For a civil marriage the registrar brings it. For a religious or belief ceremony one party collects it no more than 7 days before the ceremony, and the signed schedule must then be returned to the registrar.
For a religious or belief ceremony, collect the schedule no more than 7 days before the ceremony and at least 29 days after notice was submitted; return the signed schedule within 3 days after the ceremony.
The registration office for the area where the marriage takes place.
The marriage schedule and the two witnesses required for the ceremony.
The ceremony cannot proceed without the schedule. After registration, official certificate copies can be ordered from the registrar.
Official source: National Records of Scotland
15. Complete the ceremony and ensure the marriage is registered
Complete the legal ceremony with the registrar or authorised officiant and the required witnesses, then follow the registration process for the marriage record and certificate.
On the ceremony date and immediately afterwards as required by the registrar/officiant.
At the approved ceremony location and the relevant registration service.
The marriage schedule/documents arranged by the registrar or officiant and the two witnesses.
Follow the registrar/officiant’s instructions for signing and returning the legal marriage documents.
Official source: nidirect
16. Practical Lili tip: update records if you choose to use a new surname
If applicable: Only if you choose to change the surname or name you use.
You do not need a deed poll merely to take your spouse’s or civil partner’s surname. Organisations can usually use the marriage or civil-partnership certificate as evidence for the change.
After the marriage or civil partnership, only if you choose to change the name you use.
Directly with each record-holder that needs to be updated.
Marriage or civil-partnership certificate and any identity/account information required by the organisation.
This is a practical Lili tip, not a requirement to change your name. Rules for other kinds of name change can differ, including Scotland-specific procedures.
Official source: GOV.UK
