Home and family

Marriage and Civil Partnership

At what age can I enter marriage or a civil partnership?

In England you can get married or enter into a civil partnership once you reach the age of 18.

16 and 17 year olds used to be able to get married or enter into a civil partnership with parental consent, but this is no longer the case.

What’s a civil partnership?

A civil partnership is a legal relationship which can be registered by two people who aren’t related to each other. Civil partnerships are available to both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples.

On this page
At what age can I enter marriage or a civil partnership?
What’s a civil partnership?

This information is correct at the time of writing, June 13, 2025. The law in this area is subject to change.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre cannot be held responsible if changes to the law outdate this publication. Individuals may print or photocopy information in CCLC publications for their personal use.

Professionals, organisations and institutions must obtain permission from the CCLC to print or photocopy our publications in full or in part.

This information is correct at the time of writing, June 13, 2025. The law in this area is subject to change.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre cannot be held responsible if changes to the law outdate this publication. Individuals may print or photocopy information in CCLC publications for their personal use.

Professionals, organisations and institutions must obtain permission from the CCLC to print or photocopy our publications in full or in part.