Marriage Act 1949 (Amendment) Bill [HL]

A Bill to amend the Marriage Act 1949 to create an offence of purporting to solemnize an unregistered marriage.

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

31 October 2023

In Plain English

AI-generated

This Bill would make it a criminal offence to purport to solemnise a marriage that is not registered under the Marriage Act 1949. It targets people who perform or claim to perform such ceremonies, with the aim of strengthening marriage regulation and ensuring only properly registered marriages are recognised.

Key Points

Creates a new criminal offence for purporting to solemnise an unregistered marriage under the Marriage Act 1949
Covers individuals who conduct or claim to conduct a marriage ceremony that is not properly registered
Aims to protect the integrity and record-keeping of marriages by preventing unregistered ceremonies from being treated as legal
Penalties and enforcement details are to be set out in the Bill
Currently at the Lords' 1st Reading, starting its passage through Parliament

Progress

The Bill is at the 1st Reading stage in the Lords. If it progresses, it will move to further stages such as the Second Reading and Committee прохess.

Who is affected?

People who perform or purport to perform marriages (celebrants, religious leaders, wedding ceremony providers)Couples planning to marryRegistrars and local authorities responsible for recording marriagesWedding venues, planners and other organisations that facilitate marriages

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Marriage Act 1949 (Amendment) Bill - News

19 Jul 2022

The 2022-2023 session of Parliament has prorogued and this bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

HL Bill 50 (as introduced)

BillLords

19 Jul 2022

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

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