Civil marriage
 | TheEnglishused in this article or sectionmay not be easy for everybody to understand.(May 2023) |
Acivil marriageis amarriagethat is recognized by agovernment official.It can either be areligiousceremony or it can besecular.The definition and practice varies greatly between countries.
United Kingdom[change|change source]
At present the law allows same-sex marriages as well as man/woman marriages, and both religious and civil settings are possible.
England and Wales[change|change source]
In 1753 anAct of Parliamentrequired all marriages to be done in a religious place.Church of Englandchurches,Quakersmeeting places andsynagogueswere examples of appropriate places.
Scotland[change|change source]
The Act of 1753 did not apply in Scotland. Marriages were, of course, done in churches. But actually it was enough for a couple to state their commitment in front of witnesses. A registrar would record the marriage. This was a type ofcommon lawmarriage.
