Getting married or having a civil partnership abroad

If you plan on getting married abroad, there are certain documents you’ll need, depending on if you are a resident of Scotland or not. 

Contact the consulate or embassy for the relevant country and ask what documentation they need for you to get married there. This will vary from country to country.

You may need a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI). This document is proof there's no reason you cannot get married or have a civil partnership.

If you live in Renfrewshire

If you live in Renfrewshire, you can request a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) from us.

If you do not live in Renfrewshire

If you do not live in Renfrewshire, you cannot get a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CONI) from us.

If your residence is in another part of Scotland, you’ll need to contact the registrar in that area to ask them for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CONI).

If you’re not eligible for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CONI)

If the country where you want to wed needs evidence you are free to marry, the General Register Office for Scotland can provide you with a 'To Whom it May Concern' letter.

This letter will say a search has been made and no trace of a marriage or civil partnership involving you has been found. 

They will need different information from you depending on your circumstances.

The letter can also be provided for other purposes, for example, going to live in another country. 

You can find out more about using Scottish registration documents abroad on the National Records for Scotland website.

To request a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) you’ll need to send us:

• a completed marriage notice form (M10) or a civil partnership notice form (CP10)
• your birth certificate or adoption certificate
• a valid passport or other evidence of your nationality
• a utility bill or other proof of residence
• a decree of divorce, dissolution or annulment (if it applies)
• a death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner (if it applies)

If your partner lives abroad, we’ll also need their:

• full name
• date of birth
• address.

We’ll issue a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) 29 days after you’ve submitted your marriage or civil partnership notices and paid the notice fees of £90.

A Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) is valid for 3 months from the:

• date of issue if you are being married or having a civil partnership abroad
• date we receive your notice if you are being married in England or Wales.