At what age can a Jewish girl marry?

Jewish tradition recognises adulthood at different ages for boys and girls. A girl is considered a bat mitzvah and reaches religious adulthood at 12. Historically, this meant she could marry. Today, most Jewish communities do not arrange or perform marriages at this age.

What matters most for a wedding in the UK is the law. You must be 18 or older to marry in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This rule applies regardless of your faith or cultural background. A religious ceremony alone may not be legally binding, so you may need to complete the civil paperwork too.

Some couples choose to have a religious ceremony first and a legal registration later, or combine both. Your rabbi, celebrant or register office can explain how to arrange this. Always check the current legal requirements with GOV.UK or your local register office before planning your date.