England: Raise the legal marriage age from 16 to 18 in England and Wales

In addition, adults can be imprisoned if they allow marriage underage.

The bill, introduced in June 2021, was passed in the UK Parliament on April 26 without objection and will receive royal assent later this week, becoming law. since that time.

Until now, people in England could get married at the age of 16 or 17 with parental consent.

The new law also applies to religious or cultural marriages that are not registered with the local couple’s council.

Children will not face penalties under the new law, but adults who facilitate marriages under the new rules could face up to seven years in prison and fines.

It will now be illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to marry in England and Wales. (Photo: Sky News)

Adults who bring children abroad to get married can also face jail time and pay fines.

Conservative MP Pauline Latham, who introduced the bill after years of campaigning, said it would “change the life chances of many girls”.

No marriages or civil partnerships that took place before the law went into effect will be affected.

The new law only applies in England and Wales. In Scotland, marriage age The minimum legal minimum is still 16 and couples get married without parental consent.

In Northern Ireland, the minimum age is still 16 but couples need parental consent.

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