Marriage in Northern Ireland

Marriage in Northern Ireland
Lining up for a traditional wedding photograph

Marriage in Northern Ireland is legally defined as between a man and a woman. Civil partnerships became available to same-sex couples in December 2005 and grant rights and responsibilities identical to civil marriage. There are residency conditions that have to be met prior to marriage. If one of the parties wishing to marry is subject to immigration control, notice of marriage can only be given at a register office, which both parties must attend together. The marriageable age is 17 with consent but 18 otherwise. Marriage must be between two otherwise unmarried people (foreign divorces are generally recognised, but existing foreign polygamous marriages prevent a marriage as this would be treated as bigamy).

Certain relatives are not allowed to marry each other.

Contents

Marriage procedures

The ceremonial side of marriage procedures in Northern Ireland are in many ways similar to those in England and Wales, but there is no restriction on the location of a religious marriage and the notification and registration involve a marriage schedule.

Benefits and consequences

Upon death of one's spouse, bequests to the other spouse do not incur inheritance tax. Intestate property by default will go to the spouse. Also, there is partial inheritance of pensions.

Non-British spouses of British citizens may obtain residence permits.

Spouses are considered to have a duty of care towards each other, and certain social security benefits are calculated differently from those for single people.

Foreign citizens wishing to marry in the UK

From 1 February 2005, visitors who wish to be married in the UK that are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) must apply for a visa before they travel. Without the visa, the registrar will not be able to accept the notice of marriage and will not be able to perform the marriage ceremony.

Those already in the UK and citizens of a country that is not a member of the EEA need the approval of the Home Secretary to be married. This will be provided in the form of a certificate of approval.

Divorce

Divorce is allowed on various grounds. Civil re-marriage is allowed. Religions denominations differ on whether they permit religious re-marriage.

History

In the period 1759-1826 many couples from Ireland went to Scotland to marry, particularly to Portpatrick, Wigtown which was described as the Gretna Green for Ireland. There was a daily packet boat from Donaghadee, and marriages were conducted by the Church of Scotland minister at Portpatrick, though according to Brack (see Portpatrick) he often overlooked the rules about the publication of banns or the required period of residence.

See also


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Outline of Northern Ireland — Location of Northern Ireland (orange) – in the European continent (camel white) – in the United Kingdom (camel) Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • List of Acts of the Northern Ireland Parliament — This is a list of Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, from its first session in 1921 to suspension in 1972.The short titles for these Acts were distinguished from those passed by the Westminster parliament by the insertion of the… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland, 2003 — This is an incomplete list of Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland in 2003.1 100* Income Related Benefits and Jobseeker s Allowance (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 S.R. 2003 No. 1 * Plastic… …   Wikipedia

  • Segregation in Northern Ireland — is a long running issue in the political and social history of the province. It often been regarded as both a cause and effect of The Troubles between the Roman Catholic and Protestant populations of Northern Ireland.A combination of political,… …   Wikipedia

  • Marriage Act — may refer to a number of pieces of legislation: Contents 1 Australia 2 Canada 3 New Zealand …   Wikipedia

  • Order of precedence in Northern Ireland — v · d · e Orders of precedence …   Wikipedia

  • List of Orders in Council for Northern Ireland — The is a list of Orders in Council for Northern Ireland which are primary legislation for the province when it is being directly ruled from London and also for those powers not devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Statutory Instruments… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland, 1996 — This is an incomplete list of Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland in 1996.1 100* Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 S.R. 1996 No. 1 * Roads (Speed Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 S.R. 1996… …   Wikipedia

  • Marriage in the United Kingdom — has different laws and procedures in the different countries. For details see: Marriage in England and Wales, Marriage in Northern Ireland Marriage in Scotland. See also Same sex marriage in the United Kingdom Civil partnership in the United… …   Wikipedia

  • Census Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 — Infobox Northern Ireland law short title= Census Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 long title= An Act to make provision for the taking from time to time of a census for Northern Ireland and for otherwise collecting statistical information. introduced… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”