You can get married or form a civil partnership in England or Wales if you’re:
- 16 or over
- Not already married or in a civil partnership
- Not closely related
There are different rules if you want to get married or form a civil partnership in Scotland, Northern Island and abroad.
- Scotland marriage and civil partnership information
- Northern Ireland marriage and civil partnership information
- Getting married abroad
If you’re under 18
You need permission from your parents or guardians to get married or form a civil partnership in England or Wales.
If you or your partner is a foreign national
If you or your partner is a foreign national, you’ll need to meet some additional criteria.
If you've married each other abroad and are unsure of the validity of your marriage please contact the register office for advice.
Converting a civil partnership into a marriage
Same sex couples can convert a civil partnership into a marriage. You can’t convert an opposite sex civil partnership to a marriage in England and Wales
- How to convert a civil partnership into a marriage if you’re a same sex couple