Marriage Licence in Scotland: What You Actually Need
The M10 marriage notice, the documents, the fees and the schedule, explained simply
Scotland does not issue a “marriage licence.” That is the first thing to know, and it trips up a lot of couples, especially those researching from the United States or Canada where a licence is the norm. Instead, marrying in Scotland involves two documents: the M10 marriage notice, which you submit before the wedding, and the marriage schedule, which is the document you actually sign to be legally married.
This guide explains both, along with the documents you need, the current fees and the timings, so nothing about the paperwork catches you out.
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Is there a marriage licence in Scotland?
No. There is no marriage licence in Scotland. The legal process, administered by National Records of Scotland through your local district registrar, has two parts:
The M10 marriage notice tells the registrar you intend to marry and lets them confirm you are both free to do so.
The marriage schedule is prepared from your notice and is the actual legal record you sign on the day. You cannot be married without it.
So when couples search for a “Scotland marriage licence,” the honest answer is: what you really need is an M10 and a marriage schedule.
What is the M10 form?
The M10 is Scotland’s marriage notice form. It is your formal notice of intention to marry, and each partner completes their own. It applies everywhere in Scotland and to every kind of wedding, whether a civil ceremony in Edinburgh, a religious service, a belief ceremony or an elopement in the Highlands.
The double-sided form asks for straightforward details: your full name, date of birth, address, parentage and whether either of you has been married or in a civil partnership before. You submit it to the registrar for the district where the wedding will take place, not where you live.
You can download the M10 from the National Records of Scotland website, or request it from the registrar. Many councils now let you submit notice and documents online, so check how your chosen district prefers to receive them.
What documents do you need?
Submit these alongside your M10 forms. Registrars need to see originals, so plan for that, especially if you are travelling.
| Document | Who provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M10 marriage notice form | Each partner | The core legal notice |
| Birth certificate (original) | Each partner | Certified translation if not in English |
| Passport or photo ID | Each partner | Passport required if born after 1 January 1983 |
| Proof of address | Each partner | Utility bill within 3 months, council tax bill or driving licence |
| Declaration of Status by Non-UK National | Non-UK nationals | Required for US and Canadian couples |
| Certificate of No Impediment | Some non-UK nationals | From your home country if required; check with the registrar |
| Divorce decree or death certificate | If previously married | Proof you are free to marry |
| Witness Details form | For your two witnesses | Witnesses must be aged 16 or over |
How much does it cost?
There are two layers of cost, and it helps to keep them separate. The statutory fee is set nationally by the Registrar General for Scotland and is the same across the country:
| Statutory fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage notice (M10), per person | £45 | Two notices come to £90 |
| Marriage certificate (one extract) | £10 | One copy included |
| Statutory total | £100 | The core legal cost for a couple |
The ceremony fee is separate and varies significantly by council and by the choices you make: a ceremony in the registration office costs less than a registrar travelling to your venue, and a Saturday costs more than a weekday. As a sense of range, a registrar attending a venue can run from around £170 to several hundred pounds depending on the council, day and time. For a religious or belief ceremony you pay the statutory £100 plus the celebrant’s own fee.
Statutory fees above were current for 2025/2026 across the councils we checked, but fees are set locally and can change, so please confirm the current amounts with the relevant council.
When to submit your marriage notice
Timing is the part couples most often get wrong, so here it is plainly.
| Timing | What it means |
|---|---|
| 3 months before | The earliest the registrar can accept your M10 |
| 10 to 12 weeks before | The recommended submission window, and the safe choice from abroad |
| 29 days before | The legal minimum. Leave it this late and you risk having to postpone |
If you are a non-UK national, give as much notice as you can within the three-month window, since additional checks can take time.
The marriage schedule: the document that matters most
Once your notice is accepted, the registrar prepares the marriage schedule. This is the single most important document, because it is what you sign to be legally married. How you receive it depends on your ceremony:
Civil ceremony: the registrar keeps the schedule and brings it to the ceremony. It is not issued to you in advance.
Religious or belief ceremony (including humanist): either you or your partner must collect the schedule in person from the registrar beforehand. It cannot be posted.
On the day, the schedule is signed by the couple, the two witnesses and the person conducting the ceremony. Use permanent black ink rather than a ballpoint pen, since it is a permanent record. Afterwards, the schedule must be returned to the registrar within three days so the marriage can be registered and your certificate issued.
How to register to get married in Scotland, step by step
- Choose your date, venue and celebrant. In Scotland the venue is not restricted by law.
- Download and complete an M10 each, and gather your supporting documents.
- Submit to the registrar for the district where you will marry, within the three-month window (ideally 10 to 12 weeks ahead).
- Pay the statutory fee (£100 for the couple) plus any ceremony fee.
- Non-UK nationals: include the Declaration of Status, and a Certificate of No Impediment if your country requires one.
- Collect or confirm the marriage schedule (collect in person for religious or belief ceremonies).
- Marry with two witnesses aged 16 or over, sign the schedule, and return it within three days.
How a planner handles the paperwork for you
For couples planning from abroad, the paperwork is the part that causes the most worry, and the part we quietly take off your plate. We liaise with the correct district registrar, track the timings, make sure every document is in order and coordinate the collection of the marriage schedule where needed, so the legal side is handled while you focus on the celebration.
With nearly two decades of experience guiding US, Canadian and international couples through exactly this, we make marrying in Scotland feel effortless.
Read the full guide to getting married in Scotland, explore an intimate elopement, or start planning with us.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a marriage licence in Scotland?
No. Scotland does not issue a marriage licence. You give notice using the M10 marriage notice form, and the registrar prepares a marriage schedule, which is the document you sign to be legally married.
What is the M10 form?
The M10 is Scotland’s marriage notice form. Each partner completes their own and submits it to the registrar for the district where the wedding will take place, confirming you are both free to marry.
How much does the marriage notice cost in Scotland?
The statutory fee is £45 per person for the M10, plus £10 for the certificate, so £100 in total for a couple. Ceremony and registrar attendance fees are separate and vary by council.
When do you submit the M10 in Scotland?
No earlier than three months before the wedding and no later than 29 days before. National Records of Scotland recommends submitting 10 to 12 weeks ahead.
What is a marriage schedule?
The marriage schedule is the legal document you sign on your wedding day. For a civil ceremony the registrar brings it; for a religious or belief ceremony you must collect it in person beforehand. It must be returned to the registrar within three days after the wedding.
Do non-UK nationals need anything extra to marry in Scotland?
Yes. Non-UK nationals complete a Declaration of Status by Non-UK National, and depending on your country may also need a Certificate of No Impediment from home. Check with the registrar handling your marriage.