England and Wales
The minimum age for marriage and civil partnership is 18. It is an offence to use coercion to cause a marriage without free and full consent, to deceive someone into travelling overseas for that purpose, to cause a person who lacks capacity to marry, or to carry out conduct intended to cause a child to marry. Forced Marriage Protection Orders are available through the family court.
Scotland
Forced marriage is a criminal offence and the Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011 provides civil protection. The current minimum legal marriage age is 16; proposed reform should not be presented as law unless enacted.
Northern Ireland
Forced marriage is treated as a human-rights abuse, domestic abuse and, where children are involved, child abuse. Courts have powers to prevent forced marriage or protect somebody already forced. The current minimum marriage age is 16, with parental, guardian or court permission required below 18.
Protection before a marriage
In England and Wales, a Forced Marriage Protection Order is tailored to the person’s circumstances and can include steps preventing travel. A court can make an emergency order without notifying respondents first.
Professional reporting
Follow the safeguarding law, policy and referral procedure for your nation and organisation. In England, use current Keeping Children Safe in Education and local safeguarding arrangements; do not treat this page as a substitute.
Immediate danger
Call 999. For specialist advice, contact the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151, Monday to Friday 9am–5pm, or fmu@fcdo.gov.uk. Out-of-hours consular assistance is available on 020 7008 5000.
Primary source: Official government guidance
Jurisdiction: Check the page text and linked source
Last reviewed: 14 August 2026