Finance Minister John O'Dowd introduced the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill at the Northern Ireland Assembly. The bill raises the minimum age for marriage and civil partnership to 18. Currently 16- and 17-year-olds may marry or enter civil partnerships with parental consent.

The legislation formalises belief marriages and places them on equal legal footing with religious ceremonies. It also creates a criminal offence for arranging a marriage involving anyone under 18.

O'Dowd stated the change safeguards children and young people from risks including forced marriage and lost education opportunities. He noted girls face higher risks than boys.

He referenced recommendations from the United Nations and local groups to increase the age from 16 to 18. O'Dowd added that nearly all consultation respondents backed the raise.

Belief marriages previously operated under temporary rules. The bill grants them permanent statutory recognition matching religious marriages.

Official data record 183 marriages from 2020 to 2024 where at least one partner was under 18. Provisional 2025 figures show 13 such cases.