House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Outdoor Marriages and Civil Partnerships
06 January 2022 · Ministry of Justice
Proposed by Tom Pursglove Con Corby
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government proposes to continue permitting outdoor civil marriages and civil partnerships on approved premises beyond April 2022
- Public consultation launched to seek views on proposals for indefinite permission for outdoor civil ceremonies on approved premises
- Consultation also seeks input on allowing outdoor religious marriages in the grounds of places of worship
Issue summary
The statement addresses the Government's proposals to continue permitting outdoor civil marriages and civil partnerships on approved premises beyond April 2022, and to extend similar arrangements to religious weddings.
Action requested
The Government is launching a public consultation seeking views on its proposals to permit outdoor civil marriages and civil partnerships indefinitely on approved premises and to allow outdoor religious marriages in the grounds of places of worship. The consultation document can be found online and will be deposited in the Libraries of the House.
Key facts
- Since July 2021, couples have been able to hold civil marriage and civil partnership proceedings outdoors at approved premises.
- The current statutory instrument permitting outdoor ceremonies has effect only until April 5, 2022.
- A new statutory instrument is proposed to continue these provisions indefinitely.
- Religious marriages will be extended similar arrangements through a separate legislative reform order.