Marriage Registration and Civil Weddings in Shetland
Civil Weddings in Shetland
Whether you choose to get married in our Registration Offices, or at any agreed venue our registrars will be happy to offer assistance and advice.
When you have decided on a date and a venue for your marriage, contact the appropriate registration office to check availability. Please make your booking as soon as possible. The Registrar will ask you for a £30 non-refundable deposit at the time of booking.
Couples are encouraged to create their own unique ceremony, in conjunction with the registrar. Nowadays many couples wish to make personal promises to each other before exchanging their vows, these can be romantic, serious or humorous. You must each make a declaration during the ceremony but these may be amended to include wording that you feel is appropriate. You may also wish to include readings by family or guests during the ceremony. Consideration should also be given to the entrance of the bride. Many couples record music on CD or tape. Some couples have also arranged for musicians to perform as part of the ceremony. The registrar will be happy to show examples of all the above and assist you in planning your ceremony.
Couples are now permitted to include religious readings or hymns as part of their civil marriage ceremony. However any religious content would not be carried out by the registrar. Usually couples would prefer family members or friend to do this.
Religious or Belief Marriages
If you wish to have a religious or belief marriage ceremony you must contact and arrange your marriage with the minister, priest or other celebrant. In addition to consulting with the minister, etc you must also contact the Registrar. You must complete Forms M10 and submit them with the appropriate documentation and fees.
Marriage Registration
Marriage notice has to be lodged with the Registrar not less than 28 clear days before the proposed date of marriage, and not more than three months before the date. It is recommended that the forms should be lodged about 10 - 12 weeks before the marriage date. Marriage notice forms are required for both civil and religious marriages.
Marriage notices can be delivered in person or by post. However, both parties may be required to attend the Registrar's office to clear up any queries which may arise.
From 2 March 2015 all marriage notice paperwork must be submitted to the Lerwick Registrar’s Office.
What documents should I take to the Registrar?
- M10 (marriage notice) forms.
- Birth Certificates
- Passport
- Proof of address
- Divorce papers if you or your partner have been previously married.
- If you are a widow or widower, the death certificate of your former spouse.
- The witness details form.
If you are not British you may also need to provide:
- A certificate of no impediment (CONI), a document from your home country stating you are free to marry
If you are travelling from a non EEA Country and are a non EEA national further documentation will need to be completed. Declaration of Immigration Status Form
You should contact the UK Border Agency (Tel No. 0300 123 2241), www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/while-in-uk/marriageandcivilpartnership/ for advice about entry requirements to the UK under immigration rules for marriage.
If any document is written in a language other than English it should be accompanied by an authorised translation.
Documents issued by the registrar
- For a religious marriage, a marriage schedule. This will only be issued to the bride or groom up to 7 days before the marriage. For a civil marriage the Registrar is responsible for the schedule. A Marriage Schedule is the document signed by both parties to the marriage, along with the two witnesses, who must be at least 16 years of age and the celebrant. The signed marriage schedule is a very important document and great care should be taken of it. Following a religious marriage, the marriage schedule should be returned to the Registrar within three days.
- A marriage certificate. If requested and paid for, is issued once the marriage schedule is returned and the marriage is registered.
- Fees charged depend on the location and the time of the ceremony. Please contact the registrar for more information.
Fees
Changing Existing Civil Partnership to a marriage.
If you would like to change your existing Civil Partnership to a marriage there is some paperwork to be completed, and you will need to book a place, date and time with the registrar. The following documents can be downloaded from the National Records of Scotland website: