Marriage
When diagnosed with a progressive illness many people wish to set their affairs in order.
For some this may include arranging a marriage to a long standing partner for financial security and for clarity of inheritance.
An emergency marriage licence may be granted by the local registrar but more complicated situations (e.g. following a divorce or marriage to a non-British national) may require input from the General Register Office.
In Scotland religious marriages can take place anywhere, ministers having the power to marry couples wherever they see fit (including in hospitals, although consent from the hospital authority and subsequent registration of the marriage should be arranged).
Civil weddings in Scotland must take place on registered premises. The General Register Office for Scotland should be able to advise.
The Papers required for a marriage dispensation are:
- Letter from consultant or other specialist confirming the person’s state of health
- Signed letter from one or both parties requesting the marriage dispensation and stating the reason for the request
- Marriage form M10 completed ( download from www.gro-scotland.gov.uk)
If out of hours, the local registrar should be contacted on the local emergency number. Arrangements will then be made for collection of completed papers and the final papers to be faxed from Head Office in Edinburgh.
The number for your local registrar is available on the General Registrar Office for Scotland website.