Was same-sex marriage illegal in the UK before 2014?

Short answer

Same-sex marriage was not legal in England, Wales and Scotland before 2014, and it did not become legal in Northern Ireland until 2020. Before those dates, same-sex couples could not marry in the UK.

Before 2014, same-sex couples in England, Wales and Scotland could not marry. Civil partnerships were the option available to them, which offered most of the legal rights of marriage but were not called marriage. Scotland introduced civil partnerships in 2005, followed by England and Wales in 2005 and 2006.

The law changed in England and Wales in 2014, and in Scotland in 2014 as well. Northern Ireland followed later, in 2020. This means that for many years, couples in those regions had a different route to legal recognition.

Religious organisations decide for themselves whether to hold same-sex weddings. Some are happy to welcome same-sex couples, while others are not. If you want a religious ceremony, it is worth asking early, because not all places of worship will be able to host your wedding. The legal side of things is the same for same-sex and opposite-sex couples wherever the law allows it. If you are unsure about any part of your plans, check GOV.UK or speak to your register office.