Marriage age rises from 16 to 18 today under new law

Marriage age rises from 16 to 18 today under new law which aims to protect children from forced weddings including non-legally binding ‘traditional’ ceremonies

  • 16-year-olds can no longer wed or enter a civil partnership in England or Wales
  • The change, which was passed last year, is to help protect children

The legal age for marriage today rises from 16 to 18.

Under legislation passed last year but coming into force today, 16 and 17-year-olds can no longer wed or enter a civil partnership in England or Wales.

Until now they were able to do this as long as there was parental consent.

The change, under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act, is to better protect children from forced marriage.

It means it is now a crime to exploit vulnerable children by arranging for them to marry under any circumstances and will cover non-legally binding ‘traditional’ ceremonies that would still be viewed as marriages by parties and their families.

Under legislation passed last year but coming into force today, 16 and 17-year-olds can no longer wed or enter a civil partnership in England or Wales

Until now they were able to do this as long as there was parental consent

The legislation has been described as a ‘huge leap forward’ in fighting the ‘hidden abuse’ of forced marriage.

Natasha Rattu, director of the Karma Nirvana charity, said: ‘We hope that the new law will help to increase reporting [of forced marriages], affording greater protection to children at risk.’

The Government’s forced marriage unit provided advice or support in 118 cases involving victims aged under 18 in 2021.

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