FOI Request - Registered Marriages between 1st Cousins

Request 101003684953

I would like to request under the Freedom of Information Act data I believe to be held by your authority concerning marriages.

In particular, I would like to request

1. information on what documentation prospective couples have to present to prove they are not related.

2. I would like to know the number of marriages which were blocked or prevented from proceeding because of a lack of this proof.

3. In addition, I would like to know the number of marriages in your area for the past five years. 

a) Can you break down this figure to show marriages between First Cousins?

b) Could this figure be broken down to include the ethnicity of both parties and their gender.

4. Also, I would like to know any policy or guidance you may have concerning the marriage of first or second cousins.

Response 13-01-2025

1. Not held. Information that is not held is exempt under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held

2. None

3. Marriages in Moray

2020 - 160
2021 - 254
2022 - 285
2023 - 289
2024 - 297

a) & b) Not held. Information that is not held is exempt under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held. 

In order to be helpful we suggest that Vital Events at the National Records for Scotland may be able to provide details requested. Their email address is: vitalevents@nrscotland.gov.uk

4. Not held. We have guidance about who cannot marry but cousins is not on the list so no guidance with regard to cousins.  Information that is not held is exempt under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.