Registration Service
Civil Marriage in Stornoway
A Civil Marriage Ceremony is a non-religious ceremony conducted by an authorised Registrar or Assistant Registrar. Until recently the marriage could only be conducted in a Registration Office or other Local Authority premises designated for the purpose. However, new legislation finalised in June2002 allows authorised Registrars to solemnise Civil Marriage at locations outwith the Registration Office subject to approval by the Local Authority.
Stornoway Registration Office is situated on the first floor of the Town Hall at 2 Cromwell Street.
The Marriage Room can accommodate up to 50 guests.
Parking is available in South Beach Car Park opposite the Town Hall.
To Book your marriage you should contact the Registrar to check the availability of the date you require. The date may be booked up to two years in advance.
Notice of Marriage must be given not less than 15 days and not more than 3 months before the date of marriage. However, the recommended time is 4-6 weeks. Marriage Notice Forms can be obtained from any Registrar's Office in Scotland or downloaded at www.gro-scotland.gov.uk.
Marriage Notice Forms should be completed and returned to the Registration Office along with all required documents and fees.
Required Documents:
- both your full birth certificates and, if appropriate
- proof that any previous marriage has ended
- a certificate of no impediment from your country of domicile if this is outwith the U.K.
- and certified translations of any documents not in English
From the information on the Marriage Notice Forms, a Marriage Schedule will be prepared. This is the document which is signed at the Marriage Ceremony.
Fees for Civil Marriage in Stornoway are currently £107.00, which comprise £46.50 for the Civil Marriage Ceremony, £52.00 for Marriage Notice Forms and £8.50 for the Marriage Certificate.
You will require two Witnesses on the day of your Marriage. Normally the Best-man and Bridesmaid will perform this duty. Witnesses must be over 16 and capable of understanding the Ceremony
Still Photography is not permitted during the ceremony, but time will be given at the end for photographs to be taken. One unobtrusive Video Camera may be used during the Ceremony
A fresh Floral Arrangement will be provided.
Before the Ceremony the Bride and Groom will be interviewed privately by the Registrar either together or individually. This is done in order to ensure that all the details to be entered into the Marriage Register are correct and the content of the Ceremony will be explained.
The Ceremony will last approximately 10 minutes, but this may be extended to include any special requests. The Registrar will begin the ceremony with a welcome and a short introduction reminding you both of the solemn and binding nature of the vows you are about to make. You will then be asked to repeat your declarations. The declarations will be similar to this:
"I (name) do solemnly and sincerely declare that I know of no legal impediment to my marrying this man/woman (partner's name) and I call upon those here present to witness that I accept him/her as my lawful wedded husband/wife."
Once you have made your declarations you may wish to exchange wedding rings. The Registrar will then declare you to be husband and wife. The Bride and Groom and witnesses will then sign the Marriage Schedule.
Photographs may now be taken.
The Marriage Certificate will be posted to you.
No smoking is permitted in any of the Registrar’s offices.
Civil Marriage in venues outwith Registration offices
The choice of location for Civil Marriage Ceremonies has now been extended.
New Marriage Legislation gives Local Authorities power to approve venues
where Civil Marriage can be conducted by authorised Registrars. The venue
may be a hotel, home or other place of special significance to the couple.
Application for approval should be made to the Local Authority. Approval
can be Temporary - for a one-off occasion, or Period - valid for up to
three years. The Registrar will be pleased to give further information.
Registration Office
Town Hall
2 Cromwell Street
Stornoway
HS1 2DB
Tel: 01851 822620
Fax: 01851 709438
e-mail: mgomez@cne-siar.gov.uk
Other useful information on the web:
www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
Hours of Business
Monday to Friday 9.00am to 12.30pm and 2.00pm to 4.30pm
