A Bill to prohibit the recognition of marriages and civil partnerships contracted outside the United Kingdom between persons who could not marry or enter into a civil partnership in England and Wales; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
Mr Richard HoldenConservative
28 April 2026
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Bill would stop the recognition in England and Wales of marriages or civil partnerships that were formed abroad if the people involved could not legally marry or form a civil partnership here. In effect, a foreign marriage or CP will not be recognised in the UK if it would not have been allowed under English/Welsh law. The aim is to ensure recognition reflects English/Welsh eligibility rules and protect civil rights accordingly.
The bill has completed its first reading and is moving through the Commons, with the second reading scheduled, in its path to become law.
Generated 29 April 2026
27 Apr 2026
8 May 2026
The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 8 May 2026, although the House of Commons is unlikely to be sitting on that date.
This is a Private Members' Bill and was presented to Parliament on Monday 27 April 2026.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
