Those wishing to live with a family member need a family visa. Those seeking to come to the UK as a partner or spouse must show that any marriage is valid and that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship, as set out in the Immigration Rules.

The Family Immigration Rules require that partners must not be closely related but do not prohibit cousin marriage in line with UK legislation.

The joint Home Office and Foreign Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) works to combat forced marriage both at home and abroad. Where an immigration application raises concerns that a marriage may have been forced, these are considered as part of the individual case and may be referred to the FMU. Statistics on forced marriage are set out here: Forced Marriage Unit statistics 2025 - GOV.UK.

Those wishing to live with a family member need a family visa. Those seeking to come to the UK as a partner or spouse must show that any marriage is valid and that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship, as set out in the Immigration Rules.

The Family Immigration Rules require that partners must not be closely related but do not prohibit cousin marriage in line with UK legislation.

The joint Home Office and Foreign Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) works to combat forced marriage both at home and abroad. Where an immigration application raises concerns that a marriage may have been forced, these are considered as part of the individual case and may be referred to the FMU. Statistics on forced marriage are set out here: Forced Marriage Unit statistics 2025 - GOV.UK.

Those wishing to live with a family member need a family visa. Those seeking to come to the UK as a partner or spouse must show that any marriage is valid and that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship, as set out in the Immigration Rules.

The Family Immigration Rules require that partners must not be closely related but do not prohibit cousin marriage in line with UK legislation.

The joint Home Office and Foreign Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) works to combat forced marriage both at home and abroad. Where an immigration application raises concerns that a marriage may have been forced, these are considered as part of the individual case and may be referred to the FMU. Statistics on forced marriage are set out here: Forced Marriage Unit statistics 2025 - GOV.UK.

As outlined in the Government’s consultation, Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales, the proposed system of checks would be carried out through the civil preliminaries process. This would involve two stages: first, providing the required information and supporting evidence online when giving notice, followed by a compulsory separate in-person interview with a registrar. These checks would apply consistently regardless of the venue or type of ceremony for couples using that process.

Under the proposals, all couples would complete the civil preliminaries process, except those marrying through the Anglican route, for whom the existing Anglican preliminaries process would be retained

The Government recognises the serious concerns that have been raised on the issue of first cousin marriage. As any responsible Government would do, we must look at whether legislation is the best solution to tackle first cousin marriage or whether education and community engagement are better options.

As a matter of course, the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health and Social Care work collaboratively on the topic of cousin marriage, including on the congenital birth defects posed to children of closely related parents.

The Government recognises the serious concerns that have been raised on the issue of first cousin marriage. As any responsible Government would do, we must look at whether legislation is the best solution to tackle first cousin marriage or whether education and community engagement are better options.

As a matter of course, the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health and Social Care work collaboratively on the topic of cousin marriage, including on the congenital birth defects posed to children of closely related parents.

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales’. The Government has taken the initial view that independent officiants should be permitted to conduct legally binding weddings as part of a reformed weddings framework. The consultation seeks views on how this could operate in practice, including the regulation and training requirements that should apply to independent officiants.

The consultation closes on 24 September. The Government will then consider the findings of the consultation carefully before finalising our policy positions. Any finalised reforms would then be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.

The Government does not collect data on the prevalence of first cousin marriage. The evidence referenced in WPQ 16079 relates to longitudinal research from the Born in Bradford programme which shows that rates of consanguineous relationships have fallen substantially over time.

As a matter of course, officials at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health and Social Care work collaboratively on the topic of cousin marriage, including on the risk of congenital birth defects posed to children of closely related parents.

We recognise the serious concerns that have been raised on this issue. As any responsible Government would do, we will be considering all options on how to tackle first cousin marriage.

The Government does not collect data on the prevalence of first cousin marriage. The evidence referenced in WPQ 16079 relates to longitudinal research from the Born in Bradford programme which shows that rates of consanguineous relationships have fallen substantially over time.

As a matter of course, officials at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health and Social Care work collaboratively on the topic of cousin marriage, including on the risk of congenital birth defects posed to children of closely related parents.

We recognise the serious concerns that have been raised on this issue. As any responsible Government would do, we will be considering all options on how to tackle first cousin marriage.

The Government does not collect data on the prevalence of first cousin marriage. The evidence referenced in WPQ 16079 relates to longitudinal research from the Born in Bradford programme which shows that rates of consanguineous relationships have fallen substantially over time.

As a matter of course, officials at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health and Social Care work collaboratively on the topic of cousin marriage, including on the risk of congenital birth defects posed to children of closely related parents.

We recognise the serious concerns that have been raised on this issue. As any responsible Government would do, we will be considering all options on how to tackle first cousin marriage.

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales’, alongside an impact assessment which considers the potential economic impacts of the proposed reforms, including allowing independent officiants to conduct legally binding weddings.

The impact assessment does not provide a separate estimate of the economic impact of this measure alone. However, it estimates that the wider reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings and sets out the associated costs and benefits. The link to the assessment can be found here: Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales - GOV.UK.

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

The Government has announced that it intends to reform weddings law when parliamentary time allows.

The reforms are intended to make weddings law fairer, simpler and more modern, whilst protecting the dignity and significance of marriage. The aim is to launch a consultation before summer recess, which begins on 16 July 2026. It will focus on how people get married, rather than who is legally permitted to marry.

As set out in the answer of 11 November 2024, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 makes sexual activity with certain family members a criminal offence, but this does not include first cousins. Placing restrictions on first cousin marriage would require changes to the Marriage Act 1949 and could potentially require changes to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

While the evidence is limited, it does suggest that there may be an increased risk of congenital birth defects to children whose parents are first cousins. We welcome evidence suggesting that the number of first cousins choosing to marry in England is declining.