Immigration Control Information

Additional Documentation Required When Giving Notice of Marriage

New Immigration rules for getting married in the UK were introduced on 1 February 2005.  People being married on or after that date are now required to provide proof that they have satisfied immigration requirements or provide proof of their nationality in addition to any other relevant documents listed in the RM1| "Marriage in Scotland" leaflet.

 

Persons subject to Immigration Control

Any person subject to immigration control will have to satisfy one of the three following immigration eligibility requirements:

1. They must hold a valid visa or entry clearance as a fiancé(e) or marriage visitor.
2. They have a Home Office Certificate of Approval.
3. They have settled status in the United Kingdom.

Proof that these requirements have been met must be submitted to the Registrar when you lodge your marriage notice forms.

 

For further details see the "Getting Married in the United Kingdom" booklet issued by the Home Office

 

Persons not subject to Immigration Controls

If you are a British citizen, a national of a country in the European Economic Area or you have a certificate of entitlement giving you the right of abode in the UK, you are not affected by the new rules.  However, you will be required to provide evidence of your nationality to the registrar before the marriage can proceed.

 

British citizens

If you were born in the UK prior to 1 January 1983 then British citizenship was acquired automatically and your birth certificate is sufficient proof of your nationality.

 

If you were born in the UK after 1 January 1983 your nationality is dependent on the nationality of your parents and the easiest way to prove that you are a British Citizen is to produce a full British passport. If you do not have a full British passport, evidence of the nationality of one of your parents (either birth certificate or passport) will be needed. If your parents were unmarried at the time of your birth, nationality is taken from your mother. If your parents were married at the time of your birth, you can take your nationality from either parent.  If your parents were married and your mother is not British, then evidence of your father's British nationality and proof of your parents' marriage is required.

 

If you were born outside the UK but have acquired British Citizenship, you must produce your naturalisation/registration certificate or a full British passport.

 

EEA nationals

If you are a national from one of the EEA states (or Switzerland) below the registrar will need to see your passport.

 

• Austria
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom