The Marriage Schedule

When all the required documentation has been received and the Registrar is satisfied that there is no legal impediment to your marriage, he will issue a marriage schedule. No marriage can proceed in Scotland without a marriage schedule, which must be presented to the person performing your marriage before the ceremony commences.

If you are having a religious ceremony, the marriage schedule will be issued to you personally within seven days of the marriage date. It cannot be issued to anyone other than the prospective bride or bridegroom. Immediately after the ceremony, the marriage schedule will be signed by both parties and the person performing the marriage ceremony. The two witnesses will also add their signatures. The schedule must then be returned to the Registrar within three days so that the marriage can be registered. If you are having a civil ceremony, the schedule will not be issued but the Registrar will have it available for signing after the ceremony.

After your marriage has been registered, you can obtain a copy of the entry in the Registrar's book of marriages (your marriage certificate) from the Registrar on payment of the appropriate fee.