Getting married in Dumfries and Galloway

COVID-19 Update

Due to the current circumstances with the global spread of COVID-19, the registration service is here to support you but working with a reduced team.  Please note that our response times are currently up to 28 days and we are prioritising applications and enquiries in order of date of marriage or civil partnership. Please carefully read the below information to help direct your enquiry.

Marriage and Civil Partnerships

Full details on legalities to marriage in Scotland including the Marriage Notice forms (M10s) and Civil Partnership Notice forms (CP10s) can be found at: www.nrscotland.gov.uk 

• If you are contacting us about an existing marriage booking, including enquiries where your marriage date has already passed, please bear with us as we are receiving an exceptionally high volume of enquiries. Your query has been logged and one of our team will get back to you as soon as possible however please note that our response times are currently up to 28 days and we are prioritising in order of date of marriage or civil partnership.
• If you are contacting us about a new marriage booking and wish to know the progress of your application, please bear with us. Your query has been logged and one of our team will get back to you as soon as possible however please note that our response times are currently up to 28 days.  New applications will be prioritised in order of date of marriage or civil partnership. 
• If you have already cancelled your booking and are waiting on a refund, please note we cannot provide timescales on when your refund will be processed. We are working to refund fees as fast as we can. 
• If you wish to pay the fees for your marriage or civil partnership booking, you can do so online via our payment portal.  Full details on how to pay your fees online will be emailed to you once you have submitted your M10 forms.  If you wish to pay by telephone you reach us on 030 33 33 3004.  Our staff will be able to take your payment over the telephone by debit or credit card Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm. 
• If you have previously submitted documents as part of your application, these will be returned to you when you attend to be married.  If you have cancelled your marriage plans, your documents will automatically be returned you.  Please note we cannot provide timescales on when you will receive your documents as we are working through these in order of date of ceremony.
• If you are required to attend the registration office to submit a passport or collect a Schedule for a ceremony, you will be required to wear a face covering unless you are exempt.
• The postal address to send your marriage or civil partnership application is, Gretna Registration Office, Central Avenue, Gretna DG16 5AQ

Scottish Government Guidelines for Ceremonies

The latest information on rules and guidance for people involved in planning a wedding in Scotland during COVID-19, including the ceremony and reception can be found on the Scottish Government website.

The regulatory requirements for face coverings to be worn at marriage ceremonies and civil partnerships in indoor public places in Scotland is removed. Scottish Government continues to strongly encourage the use of protective measures to reduce risk, including wearing face coverings where appropriate to help keep each other safe.

Information Required
You must provide a daytime telephone number and email address with all marriage and civil partnership applications so that the Registrar can contact you easily and quickly.

Both parties will need to provide to the Registrar:

1. Marriage Notice Form and Guidance Notes (Form M10) or Civil Partnership Notice Form and Guidance Notes (Form CP10) - you must serve a minimum period of 29 days' notice to be married or enter a civil partnership in Scotland.  The maximum notice you can serve is 3 months.
2. A completed Declaration of Status by Non-UK Nationals- this form is required for all persons who are not British Citizens.  Your application will not be accepted without this form.
3. Proof of nationality
4. A birth certificate
5. Proof of a divorce or annulment (if appropriate) and completed Foreign Divorce Questionnaire (if appropriate)
6. Proof of being widowed (if appropriate)
7. Proof of residence (dated within the last three months)
8. A certificate of no impediment showing you can marry (if you live outside the UK or have lived here less than 2 years)
9. Marriage Visa  (www.gov.uk) - you may need a visa to come to the UK to be married.
10. Celebrant, witness and contact details form
11. The appropriate fees

A certified translation must be provided with any documents you submit that are written in a language other than English.

The registrar will contact you via email to inform you of the position of your application.

Return of documents - Postage
We are unable to hold your documents or return these to you in person.  Your Documents will be returned to you by post. 

You must enclose a pre-paid self-addressed envelope with the appropriate postage with your application form for us to return your documents or pay the agreed postage fee of £7.  This charge is in addition to the fees payable below.   

If you have submitted a passport this will be returned to you using Royal Mail Special Delivery service for which you must pay the agreed postage fee of £7.

Costs
The amount you pay depends on how you'd like to get married. 

Statutory fees
Notice fee - £30 per person (non-refundable) - M10s received before 30 April 2022
Notice fee - £45 per person (non-refundable) - M10s received from 1 May 2022 onwards
Civil marriage solemnisation or civil partnership registration - £55
Marriage or civil partnership certificate - £10

Enhanced fees - additional fees charged by Dumfries & Galloway Council
Advance booking for registration office ceremony - £101 (non-refundable)
Registration office ceremony with more than 8 guests - £106
Registrar's attendance at authorised venue ceremony - £230 (non-refundable)
Registration on a Saturday - £130
Registration on a Sunday or public holiday - £196
Postage fee - £7

How to Pay
There are a number of ways to pay for your marriage or civil partnership fees:

• Send a cheque (payable to Dumfries and Galloway Council) when you submit your M10 or CP10 forms and documentation
• Provide a daytime telephone number and email address where we can contact you for payment. Payment can then be made by debit or credit card
• Pay online using the Pay It option at www.dumgal.gov.uk using a debit or credit card.

To be able to pay your fees online, you must submit your M10 or CP10 forms first providing an email address and contact telephone number.  Upon receipt of your application, we will process your forms and send you an email with a reference number and instructions on how to make payment for your marriage or civil partnership fees online at www.dumgal.gov.uk.

Please note:  You cannot make payment online until you have submitted your application and received a reference number from the Registrar.

·         Find out more about arranging a civil ceremony

Cancellations must be submitted in writing or by sending an email.