Planning Your Gretna Green wedding? The Notice Period's Changed!
Posted by Ami Brough - March 02, 2015
Happy March! Hands up who's getting married in the next few months? There's been an important change to the requirements!
WHAT'S CHANGED?
As of 1st March 2015, your Marriage Notice form - known as your M10 form - now needs to be submitted a minimum of 29 clear days in advance....rather than the previous 14 working days. This new period of notice is also for civil partnerships and the issuing of a Certificate of No Impediment (for those looking to marry outwith Scotland, or those looking to enter into a civil partnership with someone living in England or Wales).
SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
As of now, you and your partner need to complete and submit your M10 form between 3 months and 29 clear days prior to the proposed wedding date. For weddings at Smiths Hotel, Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop or Greens at Gretna Hotel, this is submitted to the registrar in Gretna.
Alongside this form, you will be asked for your birth certificate and a valid passport or ID to prove your nationality. If you've been married or in a civil partnership before, you must provide proof of a divorce or dissolution when submitting a new notice. If your partner is deceased, you must provide a copy of their death certificate.
THEN WHAT?
Once you've submitted your Marriage Notice, the register office will prepare your Marriage Schedule. This is the document you, your partner, your celebrant and two witnesses sign to make your ceremony legally binding - so you can't get married without one!
If you're having a civil ceremony, your registrar will bring the Marriage Schedule but, if you're having a religious or belief ceremony, you or your partner must collect the document from the register office the week of the big day.
After the wedding, you have three days to hand in the completed Marriage Schedule to the register office if you have a religious ceremony (the registrar will take the completed Schedule back for civil ceremonies). (Leaving straight away on your honeymoon? Ask a trusted friend or family member to do it for you - you won't get your marriage certificate otherwise!)
NEED MORE HELP?
Our wedding team is here to help....give us a call on 01461 336001 and we'll be more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have!