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Service Update
From 4th August: Guidance on number of attendees has been updated.From 8th August : Guidance on the use of face coverings has been updated.
The information provided below has been updated.
Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies can take place indoors and outdoors with a maximum of 20 people, with physical distancing in place and where venues are able to allow that number to attend safely.
- The maximum number of 20 includes the couple, both witnesses, all those at the ceremony, including children, carers supporting any attendee, photographer, musicians or any other person employed by the couple.
- The maximum number does not include any limitation on numbers of households.
- The maximum number does not include the registrar/celebrant or any interpreter.
The Scottish Government has provided advice on a number of issues which will be of use to registrars and registration managers as they take forward civil marriages and civil partnerships in phase 3:
- To minimise the chance of exposure to COVID-19, registrars should advise that any potential participant in a ceremony or other attendee who has symptoms or is self-isolating should not attend
- If either party, the witnesses or anyone else attending the ceremony shows clear symptoms of COVID-19 on the day, the marriage or civil partnership should not go ahead
- Any person who is shielding should continue to follow Scottish Government guidance on shielding
- Any person who becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 should be sent home, and advised to follow guidance on what to do when you develop symptoms
- Attendees should continue to practise good hand and cough hygiene (including the handling of rings and other objects, such as those associated with hand-fasting, and so on)
Face coverings
Wearing a face covering has become compulsory at certain indoor premises. Everyone attending an indoor marriage or civil partnership service in a place of worship or wedding venue is required by law to wear a face covering.
There are some exemptions:
- If you are the registrar/celebrant leading the service, you can remove your face covering, but you must instead remain at least 2 metres away from others or have a protective screen between you and others. Where remaining at least 2 metres away from others or using a protective screen is not possible, the celebrant or registrar must wear a face covering.
- There are also reasonable excuses for removing a face covering (temporarily) where it’s in response to a request by “a relevant person or another person” to do so, which for instance could include where a registrar/celebrant makes such a request to check the couple’s identity, or to enable a registrar/celebrant to remove the face covering if it is inhibiting their ability to communicate with those attending the service.
- Children under the age of 5 are not required to wear a face covering.
The Scottish Government guidance, with full details of the above issues, can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnership-registrations/
Notice forms
We are currently accepting marriage and civil partnership notice forms and all supporting documents by email or post. Please contact fife.registrars@fife.gov.uk for advice on how to submit your forms. In your email, please let us know your proposed date and venue for your ceremony. Also let us know if your ceremony is with a registrar or priest or minister or celebrant.
Booking a ceremony
For civil ceremonies with a Registrar, we are extremely busy for the rest of 2020. We are fully booked until the end of October. We only have weekend availability for November. We also only have limited weekday and weekend availability in December.
If you would like to enquire about a new booking, please complete our Request information on planning a ceremony in Fife form.
Ceremonies
You can be married at many beautiful venues throughout Fife and all civil marriage ceremonies are conducted by our friendly and professional Registrars. Civil ceremonies can take place in a variety of venues ranging from historic buildings, fairytale castles, elegant mansion houses, to stylish and well designed Registrar's own venues. In addition, you can also request a setting of your own choice, for example in your own home or garden, on the beach or a place that holds special memories for you.
You don't need to be resident in Scotland to be married here, which makes it a lot easier for overseas visitors. There are, however, specific legal requirements which must be met before any marriage can proceed.
To obtain the legal forms, you need Marriage Notice form (M10) - and for full information on the legal side of marriage in Scotland, please visit the National Records of Scotland website: www.nrscotland.gov.uk
In Fife we take bookings for civil ceremonies many years in advance, so please get in touch as quickly as possible if you want to book a particular day or time. This is especially important if you want to be married at the weekend, or in the busy Spring and Summer periods. Please use the 'Request information on planning a ceremony in Fife' form.
Without all the legal preliminaries to marriage being met, your wedding cannot go ahead, so please contact us as soon as you decide that you want to get married in Fife!
When submitting your Marriage or Civil Partnership notices to the registrar please have the following supporting documents (translations into English are required for foreign documents):
- Marriage notices completed and signed by both parties – minimum notice period 29 days
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Nationality (valid passport, your countries I.D. Card etc)
- Evidence of Residency – The party’s valid driving licence, utility bill (not older than 3 months), Bank or Building Society Statement or Passbook (not older than 1 month), a council tax bill (not older than 12 months), a current residential tenancy agreement, a current mortgage statement (not older than 12 months)
- Divorce Decree (if divorced)
- Foreign Divorce Questionnaire (if required)
- Civil Partnership Dissolved or Annulled Document (if applicable)
- Death Certificate (if widowed)
- Cash or cheque for the appropriate fee or balance of fees (cheque made payable to ‘Fife Council’)
- Certificate of No Impediment to marriage (CONI) (if applicable)
- Witnesses to your Marriage Form
- Civil Ceremony Authorisation Form (if required)
Parties to a Marriage or Civil Partnership who state they are NOT British, Swiss or an EEA national MUST complete a Home Office Declaration of Immigration Status Form
- Declaration of Immigration Status Form (if applicable)
- Evidence of appropriate Immigration Status (if applicable)
- Passport style and size photo of both parties (if applicable)
- Relevant visa (if applicable)
You can get civil partnership notice forms (CP10's) from any Registrar's office as well as any advice or information. The forms are also available on National Records of Scotland's website - www.nrscotland.gov.uk
Civil partnerships can take place in Registrar's offices or in any external venue of your choice in Fife. You don't have to have a ceremony, however, most couples choose to do so as a way of celebrating with their families and friends.
We can help co-ordinate your ceremony so it is exactly what you want. You can choose your own vows and declarations, readings and music to personalise your ceremony the way you want it.
See the list of Marriage and Civil Partnership Fees below.
If you have any enquiries relating to civil partnerships please email us at the address below.
Back To TopWhat is a renewal of marriage vows ceremony?
This ceremony is for any married couple who wish to celebrate their marriage by renewing their marriage vows in a unique and personal ceremony.
Often these ceremonies are associated with a special wedding anniversary, however, the ceremony can be for couples at any stage of their marriage.
The ceremony is also a great idea for couples who marry abroad and then want to include their family and friends in a celebration here.
Who are the Ceremonies for?
Any married couple, of any age and married for any length of time, can arrange a civil Renewal of Marriage Vows Ceremony. You need to produce your marriage certificate when booking your ceremony.
Who will conduct your Ceremony?
A Registrar will conduct your ceremony, however, they will not be acting in any official capacity.
For further information please speak to a Registrar using the contact details below.
Where can your Ceremony take place?
Your ceremony can take place in a Registrar's Office in Fife or in a venue of your choice, perhaps your home, your garden or a hotel?
See Renewal of Marriage Vows Fees below for full information on costs.
Back To TopWhat is a naming ceremony?
- A naming ceremony is a very special way for parents to celebrate and welcome a child into the family.
- You, as parents, decide the content of the ceremony, selecting declarations and promises of commitment which allows you to create a unique and special ceremony for your child and for yourselves.
- Friends or relatives can also take part in the ceremony as "Supporting Adults". They pledge a special relationship with the child.
- Grandparents are welcome to take part in the ceremony too.
Who are they for?
- Children of any age can have a naming ceremony – they are not just for babies.
- Any parent or anyone else who has legal guardianship of the child can arrange the ceremony.
- Parents do not need to be married to organise a naming ceremony.
Who will conduct your ceremony?
A Registrar will conduct your ceremony, however, they will not be acting in any official capacity.
Where can your ceremony take place?
Your ceremony can take place in a Registrar's Office in Fife, or in a venue of your own choice, perhaps your home, your garden or a hotel.
How much will it cost?
Please see the publication below - Naming Ceremony Fees
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