Overview

This bill proposes to raise the minimum legal age for marriage and civil partnerships in England and Wales to 18. Currently, 16- and 17-year-olds can marry or enter a civil partnership with parental consent. This bill aims to eliminate this exception and ensure that all marriages and civil partnerships involve individuals who have reached the age of majority.

Description

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill amends the Marriage Act 1949 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004. Specifically:

• Marriage Act 1949: Section 2, which allows 16-year-olds to marry, will be amended to change the age to 18. Section 3, concerning marriages of those under 21, will be removed.
• Civil Partnership Act 2004: Subsection (1)(c) of section 3, allowing 16-year-olds to enter civil partnerships, will be changed to 18. Section 4, dealing with parental consent for those under 18 entering civil partnerships, will be removed. Several other related sections will also be repealed to ensure consistency.

The bill applies only to England and Wales and will come into effect two months after parliamentary passage.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant impact on government spending. The changes are primarily legislative and do not involve substantial financial implications.

Groups Affected

• 16 and 17-year-olds: This bill would prevent them from marrying or entering into civil partnerships.
• Parents and Guardians: They would no longer be able to give consent for their children to marry or enter into civil partnerships before the age of 18.
• Religious Organisations: Any religious bodies that conduct marriages may need to update their procedures.
• Legal Professionals: Legal professionals advising on marriage and civil partnerships will need to be aware of the new legal requirements.

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