MSPs at Holyrood voted to pass the First Minister's motion calling for a second referendum.
But the Prime Minister has said the UK government will not approve a second vote on Scotland's membership of the UK, at least until the country has left the EU.
The Scottish Parliament has voted to push for a second independence referendum.
MSPs backed Nicola Sturgeon's motion, calling for her to be able to to take forward discussions with the UK Government on the details of a section 30 order, the mechanism to transfer the legal powers for a vote.
The motion was passed by 69 votes to 59.
MSPs voted 69 to 59 to mandate the First Minister to seek permission from the UK Government for a ballot to be held.
Nicola Sturgeon has been speaking, as the Scottish Parliament votes on whether to push forward with a second referendum.