Civil Partnerships and Marriage: Coronavirus

(asked on 28th August 2020) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to extend the validity period of marriage and civil partnership notices as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.


Answered by
Alex Chalk Portrait
Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
This question was answered on 8th September 2020

We understand the frustration couples who have had to postpone their wedding or civil partnership must be feeling.

The requirement to solemnize a marriage within twelve months of giving notice to marry is set out in primary legislation, which does not provide for extending this period. It would require primary legislation to change this. In the meantime, the fees charged by local authorities for giving notice can be reduced, waived or refunded on compassionate grounds or in cases of hardship. It is for each local authority to determine when this can be applied.

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