Do you need two witnesses to get married in the UK?

Every legal marriage in the UK requires two witnesses to be present at the ceremony and to sign the official marriage schedule or document. In England and Wales, the witnesses sign the marriage schedule on the day, and the couple receives a marriage certificate afterwards. In Scotland, the witnesses sign the marriage schedule, and the registrar issues the certificate. In Northern Ireland, the same rule applies. The witnesses do not need to be related to you, and they do not need to be British citizens. They just need to be old enough and able to sign their names. In Scotland, witnesses must be aged 16 or over. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there is no set minimum age in the facts, but the registrar will expect them to be adults or at least old enough to understand what they are signing. If you cannot find two witnesses, the registrar office or venue staff can sometimes step in, but it is better to ask ahead. You can choose anyone, such as your parents, siblings, children or friends. If you are having a religious ceremony, the officiant may have their own rules about who can witness, so check with them. The two witnesses are the only people required by law, but you can have as many guests as you like.