How to Get Married in Scotland As a U.S. Citizen?

Scotland has everything, which makes it the perfect destination for all travelers. Those who love enjoying nature can get lost in its unspoiled islands, dramatic landscapes, hiking trails, and wildlife reserves. Shopping enthusiasts can take advantage of its numerous and vibrant shopping options. And for luxury lovers? There are hotels dedicated to you! Seeing as this destination has enough flair to suit everyone, it has become a top wedding destination. We show you how to get married in Scotland as a U.S. citizen:

 

How to Get Married in Scotland As a U.S. Citizen?

Couples can bring their perfect wedding in Scotland to life, thanks to its variety of venues. Some say “I do” atop the rolling hills; others prefer to do it on the snowy slopes; some take it to the castles, while others go for the lakeside views. No matter where you would like to tie the knot, the processes below should serve you:

1. Choose a wedding option: You can marry via civil or religious ceremonies or convert an existing civil partnership into a marriage. Your marriage preference will determine the preliminary requirements, the documents you must produce, and where you can have the wedding. For example, people getting married in civil ceremonies require permission from their officiants to hold the wedding outside the pre-approved wedding venues.
2. Hire a wedding planner: Planning a wedding is an involving process, and it is always best to have an experienced pair of hands handling the bulk of the work. Your planner can help you navigate the legal paperwork and take care of implementing your vision so you can focus on the things you care about the most.
3. Select a wedding venue: While Scotland has some of the most outstanding wedding venues, they sell out fast as they attract international attention. If you want to get the best options, start your search months before the wedding date. Remember to liaise with your wedding officiant to ensure the venue meets the set requirements.
4. Get a marriage visa: You need to apply for a relevant visa if you are not a UK national or resident or don’t have an EU Settlement Scheme or refugee status. Otherwise, when you file a notice to get married, the registrar will refer the matter to the Home Office for investigation, which can result in the disapproval of your marriage. Your visa options are marriage visitor visa, fiance visitor visa, and spouse visa. However, you may not need a visa if you already have a civil partnership in Scotland and want to convert it to a marriage.
5. Prepare your marriage documents: You and your partner must present proof of ID, marital status, and consent when applying for a marriage license. These include valid passports, proof of no impediment to the marriage, and your marriage visa.
6. Get an apostille: Official documents issued in the U.S., e.g., divorce decrees, are only acceptable in Scotland if they have an apostille that verifies their stamps, signatures, and seals. You can get this done by the Secretary of State in the state where you got the document.
7. Translate your documents: If some of your documents are not in English, you must translate them to meet this requirement. Use certified translation services to do this.
8. Submit a notice: You will record a statement with the district registrar of the district where you want to get married, stating that you are free to marry and detailing the location and date of the wedding. This submission should be made at least 29 days before the wedding to allow the registrar to confirm your wedding details and documents. To ensure you don’t suffer delays, you can submit your notice up to 10 weeks before the wedding.
9. Receive your marriage schedule: If everything checks out, you will get a wedding schedule that will require solemnization on the date you get married. If you are marrying in a civil ceremony, the schedule will remain with the registrar, who will complete it on the wedding day. But if yours is a religious ceremony, you should collect the schedule no more than 7 days before the ceremony and no less than 29 days after submitting your marriage notice.
10. Get married: You must have a registered officiant overseeing the wedding ceremony. After exchanging your vows, you, your partner, the officiant, and the witnesses should sign the marriage schedule.
11. Register the marriage: You must return the signed marriage schedule to the registrar within 3 days of the marriage to complete the ceremony. In civil weddings, this is not necessary, as the registrar retains the schedule after the signing. But people getting married in religious marriages should follow up on this.

If you get married in Scotland, is it legal in the U.S.? A wedding recorded by the registrar will be valid in Scotland and the U.S. Once you get your marriage certificate, you can use it as proof of marital status even back home.

 

What are the Different Types of Marriage in Scotland?

A U.S. citizen getting married in Scotland can choose between civil marriages, religious ceremonies, and conversion of civil partnerships into marriages. Scotland marriage laws and responsibilities vary per choice, and engaging your attorney in this decision is a good idea. Consider your options below:

 

1. Civil Marriages

These marriages are common in Scotland and take place under the authority of the district registrar. The registrar can officiate the wedding at the register office or another pre-approved venue. These ceremonies are often simple and often feature statutory vows. However, you are free to add some personal touches to the ceremony by reading your vows in addition to the set vows. After the exchange of vows, your witnesses must sign the marriage schedule with you and the officiant. The marriage schedule remains with the registrar for completion of the marriage certificate.

 

2. Religious Ceremonies

These ceremonies depend on one’s belief system, e.g., Christian weddings. You must find an approved celebrant who can carry out such a wedding in Scotland. Since beliefs vary, the wedding processes are different, and you will confer with your officiant to understand what will take place on your wedding day. Like a civil marriage in Scotland, you will need to sign the marriage schedule after the exchange of vows alongside the celebrant and your witnesses.

 

3. Converting Civil Partnerships

This option of marriage in Scotland is only available to people whose civil partnership is valid and has not been ended by dissolution, annulment or death. You have three options to change this partnership into a marriage:

• Simple Registration: In this case, you will take your civil partnership certificate to the local registrar in the district where you want to get married. Here, you will fill out an application form before the registrar and sign it. Just like that, you will be in the marriage register and can get a marriage certificate.
• Have a Marriage Ceremony: If you want to hold a wedding, you will need to submit a notice to the district registrar where you want to get married. You will proceed with all the other steps to get married, after which your civil partnership will end as you take on a married status.

All civil partnerships converted to marriages end on the day of the marriage but remain on record.

Is a marriage in Scotland recognized in the United States? Your marriage will be legal if it has met all the marriage requirements in Scotland. Note that a marriage can be void or voidable if officials later realize that you were not eligible for a marriage, e.g., if you were not single at the time of the marriage. As such, before getting married in Scotland, ensure you are not entering a void or voidable contract.

 

Marriage Requirements in Scotland for U.S. Citizens

When submitting a notice for getting married in Scotland, the district registrar will review your suitability for marriage. If questions arise, they can decline the request or escalate the issue to the Home Office for further investigation. So, what conditions should you meet to have a hassle-free union?

1. Age: The legal marriage age in Scotland is 16 years. This requirement applies to all genders.
2. Marital Status: While polygamous marriages outside Scotland are valid, you cannot enter a marriage in Scotland if you have another existing one. As such, people in civil partnerships or marriages must end them before submitting a marriage notice.
3. Relationships: You cannot marry or have a civil partnership with a close relative, whether by blood or marriage. However, Scotland allows people related by affinity to marry if they meet certain conditions.
4. Witnesses: Each wedding ceremony requires two witnesses aged at least 16 who can have the legal capacity to enter contracts.
5. Legal Capacity: Besides age, Scotland also considers one’s ability to grasp the nature of marriage. Anyone who does not meet the threshold for marital consent cannot marry.
6. Residence: You do not need to live in Scotland to get married. However, you should get the relevant visa if you are not a UK national and do not have a permit to remain in Scotland. Tourist visas are not acceptable as proof of immigration status.

Additionally, you must submit a marriage notice and can only get married by a registered officiant.

 

What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Scotland?

Getting married in Scotland for foreigners is a relatively straightforward process if you complete all the required steps per your chosen marriage. So, what do you need to get married in Scotland? Prepare the following documents, which you will present to the district registrar:

1. A valid passport: Your passport should be in good condition, show your entry stamp, and should be valid beyond your departure date,
2. A relevant visa: You can use a marriage visitor visa, fiance visitor visa, or spouse visa,
3. A birth certificate or equivalent,
4. Proof of address: You will need a document that shows where you live, e.g., a valid driver’s license,
5. A certificate of no impediment to marriage: This applies to non-UK nationals and proves you are free to marry per the laws in your country,
6. A divorce decree: You need this if your last marriage ended in divorce,
7. A death certificate: If your previous spouse is deceased, you should include this document,
8. A civil partnership certificate: You need this if you are converting your civil partnership into a marriage, and
9. An apostille: All official documents issued in the U.S. should have an apostille to guarantee the authenticity of their stamps, seals, and signatures.

The document requirements vary based on age, nationality, residency, and previous marriages or civil partnerships. You can always consult the district registrar before submitting your documents.

Get Your Passport Here

 

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in Scotland?

Many countries set their marriage age at 18. But how old do you have to be to get married in Scotland? People as young as 16 can marry in Scotland without parental consent. However, the marriage will not be valid in England and Wales and may not hold water in other regions. Moreover, if you are marrying a relative by affinity, you must be at least 21 and meet other criteria before you can tie the knot. Engaging your attorney in age-related marital questions can help you understand your eligibility.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Scotland?

Weddings in Scotland have become more popular as their costs rank lower than the national average. So, how much does it cost to get married in Scotland? Most couples spend about $25,000 to $35,000 for guests, with 50 to 100 guests. Some spend half of this while others double the costs. With a good wedding planner, you can find the best financial fit.

 

How to Find a Wedding Planner in Scotland?

Scotland is home to some of the best wedding planners in the world. And with such a wide selection, using the tips below helps you find the best person for the job:

1. Compile the best options: Start with an exhaustive list of people recommended by your friends, family, colleagues, and even social media.
2. Select Scotland-based planners: Instead of working with people who specialize in different areas, find those who have set camp in Scotland, as they will have the best access to vendors.
3. Review their past work: Seeing someone’s previous weddings will give you insights into their style and capabilities.
4. Consider their workload: Choose planners who do not have a lot on their plates, as this will allow them to focus on your big day.
5. Ask questions: Get to know your potential planners by discussing your concerns and seeing how they address them. You can learn a lot about them this way.
6. Get the pricing: Planners charge clients using various methods. Some prefer using a fixed amount; others charge a percentage of the overall costs. Consider what matches your budget, ensuring you do not strain yourself.
7. Read the contracts: Understand the terms of the working relationship and select planners whose conditions feel reasonable.

Finally, think about what you want from a planner and select someone who feels like the planner you always wanted. Your instincts will know which way to go.