Major change proposed to end under-18 marriage in NI to better protect children

A major legal change aimed at protecting young people across Northern Ireland is now underway, as legislation to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 has been formally introduced at Stormont.

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has brought forward the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, which will end the current provision allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent — a move he says is essential to safeguarding children and preventing harm.

Stronger protections for young people

Under existing law, teenagers aged 16 and 17 can marry or enter a civil partnership with consent from parents or guardians. The new Bill will remove that option entirely, making 18 the legal minimum age in all cases.

Speaking after introducing the legislation on Monday, Mr O’Dowd said:

“The legislation introduced will help to better safeguard our children and young people.

“Child marriage can increase the risk of forced marriage and can deprive children of education and other essential life opportunities. Girls, who are more frequently married as children than boys, are especially at risk.”

He added that the move aligns with international guidance:

“Organisations such as the United Nations and local stakeholders recommend raising the minimum age for marriage from the present 16 to 18.

“I am therefore convinced of the need for change, particularly given that almost every respondent to the consultation supported raising the minimum age.”

What the new law will change

The proposed legislation introduces several significant reforms:

• Raising the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18

• Criminalising the arrangement of marriages involving anyone under 18

• Giving legal recognition to belief marriages on the same basis as religious ceremonies

Belief marriages — which include ceremonies conducted by non-religious belief organisations such as humanists — have been permitted in recent years under temporary arrangements. The Bill will now place them on a permanent legal footing.

Mr O’Dowd said:

“For several years, belief marriages have been permitted through temporary arrangements. This Bill will now put belief marriages on a permanent legal footing, giving them the same statutory recognition as religious marriages.”

The scale of under-18 marriages

While relatively uncommon, child marriages have continued to take place in Northern Ireland in recent years.

Between 2020 and 2024, there were 183 marriages where at least one partner was under 18.

Provisional figures for 2025 indicate a further 13 such marriages.

The legislation aims to eliminate these cases entirely, bringing Northern Ireland in line with growing international standards on child protection.

Why it matters locally

The change represents a significant shift in how young people are protected under the law, closing what has increasingly been viewed as a loophole that could expose teenagers to coercion or limit their life opportunities.

By removing parental consent as a pathway to early marriage, the Bill places the emphasis firmly on adulthood as the minimum threshold for such legal commitments.

Looking ahead

The Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill will now proceed through the Assembly’s legislative process. If passed, it will introduce a clear, uniform rule: marriage and civil partnership will only be legal from age 18 — without exception.

At a glance

• New legislation aims to raise marriage age in Northern Ireland to 18

• Currently, 16 and 17-year-olds can marry with parental consent

• Bill will criminalise arranging marriages involving under-18s

• Belief marriages will gain permanent legal recognition

• 183 under-18 marriages recorded between 2020 and 2024

• A further 13 cases recorded in provisional 2025 figures

• Change supported by consultation responses and international guidance

• Aims to reduce risks of forced marriage and protect education opportunities

• Bill now moves through the Assembly for consideration