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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Thursday, 3 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 September 2026. It was answered by Jake Richards (Labour) on Thursday, 10 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.


Marriage: Reform

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 2nd September 2026, to question number 19530, on Marriages: Reform, whether the proposed system of checks will apply equally to all marriages regardless of the venue or type of ceremony.

Answer

As outlined in the Government’s consultation, Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales, the proposed system of checks would be carried out through the civil preliminaries process. This would involve two stages: first, providing the required information and supporting evidence online when giving notice, followed by a compulsory separate in-person interview with a registrar. These checks would apply consistently regardless of the venue or type of ceremony for couples using that process.

Under the proposals, all couples would complete the civil preliminaries process, except those marrying through the Anglican route, for whom the existing Anglican preliminaries process would be retained


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
27048
Session
2026-27
Related items
Marriage: Reform
Wednesday, 2 September 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Marriage Reform
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk