A Bill to amend the Marriage Act 1949 to create an offence of purporting to solemnize an unregistered marriage
House of Lords
28 April 2022
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The bill would make it illegal to perform a wedding ceremony if the marriage isn’t properly registered, creating an offence for purporting to solemnise an unregistered marriage. It targets people who pretend to conduct a marriage when the ceremony isn’t legally registered, helping prevent fraudulent or unrecorded ceremonies. It is at an early stage, having its first reading in the Lords.
The bill has only had its first reading in the Lords and has not yet progressed to committee or further readings.
Generated 21 February 2026
30 Jun 2021
First reading took place on 30 June. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2021-2022 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
