When was same-sex marriage legalised in the UK?

Short answer

Same-sex marriage became legal in England, Wales and Scotland in 2014, and in Northern Ireland in 2020. Check GOV.UK for any updates to these dates.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2014. Couples in Scotland could marry under the same law from 2014 as well. Northern Ireland followed later, in 2020.

Before these changes, civil partnerships were available to same-sex couples in many parts of the UK. Some couples chose to convert their civil partnership into a marriage, while others preferred to keep it. Either option remains valid.

The law covers the ceremony and the legal status of the marriage. It does not decide whether a church, mosque, temple or other place of worship will hold a same-sex wedding. Each religious organisation makes its own decision, so if a faith ceremony is important to you, ask early.

If you are planning a wedding abroad, the dates and rules will differ from the UK. Check the local laws and the GOV.UK guidance for that country. For UK details that are not covered here, ask your register office or visit GOV.UK.