Commentary Part 1 – Marriage Overview
65.This Chapter makes provision about who may be authorised to solemnise marriage in Scotland.
66.For opposite sex marriage, Church of Scotland ministers are authorised by way of the Church of Scotland being named specifically in section 8 of the 1977 Act. Other religious bodies may be prescribed by Statutory Instrument so that their celebrants are authorised to solemnise marriage. Other religious bodies can also nominate persons to be registered by the Registrar General for Scotland as celebrants under section 9 of the 1977 Act. And the Registrar General may grant temporary authorisation to individuals to solemnise a marriage or marriages under section 12 of the 1977 Act.
67.In addition, civil registrars are authorised to solemnise marriage.
68.The Act retains this system but makes provision for belief bodies to be authorised as well.