ALBAWABA - A new law has come into effect in England and Wales, raising the legal age of marriage to 18.
A new law came into effect in #England & #Wales on Monday, which raises the legal age for marriage to 18 years. Prior to this change, individuals between the ages of 16 & 17 were allowed to marry with their parents' consent.@aspiringmind_ with details.https://t.co/wrEvwgR0X1
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) February 27, 2023
Previously, couples were able to tie the knot at 16 or 17 years old, but that could have been done only with parental consent.
The UK government said on its website that the change was meant to protect children from the scourge of forced marriages. It said the new law "will crack down on forced marriages, which can cause lasting damage on a child."
"You can't marry - you're only 17!"
New law raises legal marriage age in England and Wales to 18 in attempt to deter child marriages... https://t.co/76piXYfITf#family #law #leicestershire #solicitors pic.twitter.com/JfH6EYoI8o— Lawson-West Solicitors (@LawsonWestLaw) May 20, 2022
The laws on marriage vary across the United Kingdom.
In Scotland, young people can still get married aged 16.
In Northern Ireland, the legal age remains 18. However, couples could get married at 16 or 17 years, but with parental consent.
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 is now in effect. The Act raises the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales to protect children from the scourge of forced marriage.https://t.co/x8T5NJeBh8
— ECP Ltd (@ECP_LTD) February 27, 2023
The age of marriage consent is 18 year in European Union countries. But there are exceptions, including if the girl is pregnant.
