<P> Marriage in England and Wales is legally recognised in the forms of both civil , and religious marriage for opposite sex couples only , and same sex marriage in register offices or an approved venue . Same - sex marriages can not be solemnised in the Church of England , due to the church 's doctrine and views on marriage . Canon laws forbid such from taking place . Marriage laws in England and Wales have historically evolved separately from marriage laws in other jurisdictions in the United Kingdom . There is a distinction between religious marriages , conducted by an authorised religious celebrant , civil marriages , conducted by a state registrar and same sex marriages , also conducted by a state registrar . The Marriage ( Same Sex Couples ) Act 2013 ( c. 30 ) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which legalised same - sex marriage in England and Wales . The legal minimum age to enter into a marriage in England and Wales is sixteen years , although this requires parental consent if a participant is under eighteen . Certain relatives are not allowed to marry . For foreign nationals , there are also residency conditions that have to be met before people can be married . Same - sex marriage was introduced under the Marriage ( Same Sex Couples ) Act in March 2014 . Prior to this , civil partnerships had been made available to same - sex couples in the United Kingdom in 2005 , granting rights and responsibilities virtually identical to civil marriage . Civil partnerships remain to be available to only same - sex couples , despite a call by Peter Tatchell for there to be an equal status regarding such civil unions . The Isle of Man is the only part of the British Isles where civil partnership are available to all irrespective of gender . </P>
<P> Marriage in England and Wales is legally recognised in the forms of both civil , and religious marriage for opposite sex couples only , and same sex marriage in register offices or an approved venue . Same - sex marriages can not be solemnised in the Church of England , due to the church 's doctrine and views on marriage . Canon laws forbid such from taking place . Marriage laws in England and Wales have historically evolved separately from marriage laws in other jurisdictions in the United Kingdom . There is a distinction between religious marriages , conducted by an authorised religious celebrant , civil marriages , conducted by a state registrar and same sex marriages , also conducted by a state registrar . The Marriage ( Same Sex Couples ) Act 2013 ( c. 30 ) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which legalised same - sex marriage in England and Wales . The legal minimum age to enter into a marriage in England and Wales is sixteen years , although this requires parental consent if a participant is under eighteen . Certain relatives are not allowed to marry . For foreign nationals , there are also residency conditions that have to be met before people can be married . Same - sex marriage was introduced under the Marriage ( Same Sex Couples ) Act in March 2014 . Prior to this , civil partnerships had been made available to same - sex couples in the United Kingdom in 2005 , granting rights and responsibilities virtually identical to civil marriage . Civil partnerships remain to be available to only same - sex couples , despite a call by Peter Tatchell for there to be an equal status regarding such civil unions . The Isle of Man is the only part of the British Isles where civil partnership are available to all irrespective of gender . </P>
what is the legal age of marriage in uk
what is the legal age of marriage in uk
sixteen years , although this requires parental consent if a participant is under eighteen
sixteen years , although this requires parental consent if a participant is under eighteen