<P> Marriage in England and Wales is legally recognised in the forms of both civil, and religious marriage for opposite sex couples only, and same sex marriage in register offices or an approved venue . Same - sex marriages cannot be solemnised in the Church of England, due to the church's doctrine and views on marriage . Canon laws forbid such from taking place . Marriage laws in England and Wales have historically evolved separately from marriage laws in other jurisdictions in the United Kingdom . There is a distinction between religious marriages, conducted by an authorised religious celebrant, civil marriages, conducted by a state registrar and same sex marriages, also conducted by a state registrar . The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which legalised same - sex marriage in England and Wales . The legal minimum age to enter into a marriage in England and Wales is sixteen years, although this requires parental consent if a participant is under eighteen . Certain relatives are not allowed to marry . For foreign nationals, there are also residency conditions that have to be met before people can be married . Same - sex marriage was introduced under the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act in March 2014 . Prior to this, civil partnerships had been made available to same - sex couples in the United Kingdom in 2005, granting rights and responsibilities virtually identical to civil marriage . Civil partnerships remain to be available to only same - sex couples, despite a call by Peter Tatchell for there to be an equal status regarding such civil unions . The Isle of Man is the only part of the British Isles where civil partnership are available to all irrespective of gender . </P> <P> Wedding ceremonies can either be conducted by "authorised celebrants" (usually, but not always, a minister of religion) or by an "authorised registrar". To be legally binding, they must take place with at least two other competent people present as witnesses . The marriage register is signed by the couple, the celebrant and two witnesses . Civil and same - sex marriages may not take place in religious venues, but since the Marriage Act 1994 may take place in other licensed venues . </P>

What is the legal age of marriage in uk