Guide

Who can get married or form a civil partnership in Scotland

Publication date
22 June 2026

Who can get married or form a civil partnership in Scotland

You can get married or form a civil partnership in Scotland if you’re:

  • over 16 years old and a resident in Scotland, otherwise you must be over 18
  • in a mixed sex or in a same sex relationship
  • not already married or in a civil partnership
  • not related to one another in a way which would prevent you marrying each other
  • able to understand the nature of a marriage or civil partnership ceremony and consent to marry or form a civil partnership

You can also get married in Scotland if you live in another country and your marriage or civil partnership in Scotland will be valid in your country.

If you've been married in another country, you cannot get married again in Scotland.

Check if you can get married or form a civil partnership (mygov.scot).

If you or your partner has been married or in a civil partnership before

If you or your partner has already been married or registered as a civil partner, you must produce evidence that the marriage or civil partnership has been ended by death, divorce, annulment, or dissolution.

If you were divorced or your separation was legally granted outside of the UK, you must complete either a:

If your former partner has died

You’ll need to provide us with a death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner if they have died.

How to order a death certificate

If you or your partner is a non-UK national

If you or your partner is a non-UK national, you may need to complete a Declaration of Status by Non-UK Nationals form.

Find out more about getting married if you or your partner is a non-UK national (National Records of Scotland website).

If you live outside the UK

If your permanent residence is not in the UK, you may need to provide a:

  • certificate of no impediment (CONI) from your country to say you can get married
  • marriage visa.

You'll need to get a certified translation of the document if it is not in English.

You do not need a certificate if you are a UK citizen living outside of Scotland.