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
The bill would create a new offence for purporting to solemnise an unregistered marriage. It amends the Marriage Act 1949 to criminalise anyone who claims to conduct a marriage ceremony when the marriage isn’t properly registered.
The bill has been introduced and is at the first reading stage in the House of Lords; if it progresses, it will move on to further scrutiny in later stages.
Generated 21 February 2026
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.
