Marriage and Civil Partnership (Consent) Bill

A Bill to require the person registering a marriage or civil partnership to attest the valid consent of both parties to the marriage or civil partnership before it is solemnized; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Fabian HamiltonLabour (Co-op)

Last Updated

29 March 2019

In Plain English

AI-generated

This Bill would require the registrar registering a marriage or civil partnership to attest that both parties have validly consented before the ceremony takes place. It aims to strengthen protection against forced or non-consensual unions by making consent explicit at registration, and for connected purposes.

Key Points

The registrar must attest that both parties have valid consent before the marriage or civil partnership is solemnised.
Applies to both marriages and civil partnerships.
Places a duty on registrars to verify consent at registration.
Aims to help prevent forced marriages and protect individual autonomy.
Details on how consent is determined and any penalties would be set out in later stages of the bill.

Progress

The bill is at the Commons' second reading and has not yet moved to committee stage.

Who is affected?

People planning to marry or enter a civil partnershipRegistrars and registration officesCharities and organisations supporting victims of forced marriageThe wider public with an interest in equality and civil rights

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Marriage and Civil Partnership (Consent)

1 Jan 1970

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Marriage and Civil Partnership (Consent) Bill | TrackPolitics