Same sex couples can now marry

Since 13th March 2014 same sex couples in England and Wales have been able to give notice of their intention to marry to their local register office.  As 16 days is required for most marriages or civil partnerships, this means marriages can take place as early as 29th March 2014.  There might, however, be different requirements for religious ceremonies.

Same sex couples who married abroad under foreign law and are currently treated as civil partners will be recognised as being married in England and Wales from 13th March 2014.

Other notable dates for your diaries:

• Same sex weddings in some British consulates and overseas armed forces bases will be possible, and arrangements for same sex weddings in military chapels will be in place from June 2014

• Couples wishing to convert civil partnerships into marriages, and married people wanting to change their legal gender while remaining married will be able to do so before the end of 2014.

Thanks to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 becoming law in July 2013 in England and Wales:

• Same sex couples can now marry in civil ceremonies
• Same sex couples can now marry in religious ceremonies provided the religious organisation has 'opted in' to conduct such ceremonies and the minister of religion agrees
• Religious organisations and representatives who don't want to conduct same sex marriages are protected from successful legal challenge
• Civil partners can now convert their partnership to a marriage

and

• Married individuals can change their legal gender without having to end their marriage first.