Minimum age for marriage in England and Wales rises to 18

A new law raising the minimum age for marriages and civil partnerships came into force this year.

Up until this new ruling people could legally marry at 16 or 17 years of age, with parental consent, with no law against unregistered ceremonies for younger children. The new rules cover non-legally binding ceremonies too.

The new legislation follows a pledge made by the government to the United Nations to end child marriages by 2030.

The government said it has introduced the changes to help protect vulnerable children being forced into marriage. Previous to this ruling forced marriage was only considered an offence if coercion, for example, threats, had been used. Under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act it’s now against the law to arrange marriages for children, no matter what the circumstances, and whether or not force is used. Those found guilty of arranging marriages for anyone under 18 could now face up to seven years in jail.

New age rule doesn’t apply to Scotland or Northern Ireland

The changes don’t apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland where the minimum age to marry remains at 16. In Northern Ireland a parent’s consent is required for those wishing to marry before the age of 18, but this doesn’t apply in Scotland.

The Ministry of Justice said statistics showed that forced marriage is more likely to impact girls than boys. Figures from 2018 revealed that 28 boys married under the age of 18 as opposed to just 119 girls.

Decision welcomed by campaigners

The decision has been welcomed by campaigners, including some who have been forced into child marriages themselves, because of the devastating impacts it can have on the lives of many women and girls. Now the onus is no longer on the child having to speak up against their parents or community when faced with a child marriage.

The Government’s Forced Marriage Unit reported 118 cases of victims under the age of 18 in 2021 but it’s believed the true figures may be much higher. The courts also issued 3,343 Forced Marriage Protection Orders between 2008 and 2022, which are there to prevent someone using threats, violence, or emotional abuse in order to force a person into marriage.

Landmark legislation

The government reports that child marriages are often associated with domestic abuse against girls, with many leaving education early and having limited career opportunities, as well as physical and mental health problems.

Many have campaigned for the change over the last five years including Conservative MP Pauline Latham who introduced the Bill into Parliament in 2021. The campaign organisation Girls Not Brides Coalition has also been working to end child marriages and honour based abuses.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said:

Those who act to manipulate children into marrying under-age will now rightly face the full force of the law

Safeguarding minister Sarah Dines said the Government was putting extra resources into ensuring the new law is brought into force successfully. Police and social workers, plus other professionals are being provided with training in order to support and safeguard children.