Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977

8 Persons who may solemnise marriage.S

(1)[F1Subject to section 23A of this Act,] a marriage may be solemnised by and only by—

(a)a person who is—

(i)a minister [F2or deacon] of the Church of Scotland; or

(ii)a minister, clergyman, pastor, or priest of a religious body prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, or who, not being one of the foregoing, is recognised by a religious body so prescribed as entitled to solemnise marriages on its behalf; or

(iii)registered under section 9 of this Act; or

(iv)temporarily authorised under section 12 of this Act; or

(b)a person who is a district registrar or assistant registrar appointed under section 17 of this Act.

(2)In this Act—

(a)any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above is referred to as an “approved celebrant”, and a marriage solemnised by an approved celebrant is referred to as a “religious marriage”;

(b)any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above is referred to as an “authorised registrar”, and a marriage solemnised by an authorised registrar is referred to as a “civil marriage”.

Textual Amendments