What law made same-sex marriage legal in the UK?

The law that made same-sex marriage legal in England and Wales is the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. It allowed two people of the same sex to marry in a register office, an approved venue or a registered religious building. The first same-sex marriages took place in 2014.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own laws. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Scotland since 2014 and in Northern Ireland since 2020. Each part of the UK sets its own marriage rules, so the exact legislation and timing differ.

Religious organisations decide for themselves whether to hold same-sex weddings. The law does not force a church or other faith building to do so. Some have chosen to offer it, while others have not.

If you need the exact wording of the law or the current notice rules, check GOV.UK or speak to your local register office. Rules can change, and the register office can tell you what applies to your ceremony and venue.