Petition · past parliament

Stop the UK from recognising child marriage conducted abroad as legal.

Closed 146 signatures

What the petition asks

The UK recognises child marriage provided they were conducted "legally" abroad & also for benefit purposes.
It is illegal to marry under 18 yrs of age in the UK (16 years with parental consent) & these child marriages should not be recognised by the UK in any form. The adult should be prosecuted.
Today Save the Children estimated that a girl marries under the age of 15 years every 7 second seconds within the world.
In recognising the child marriages of immigrants to the UK (including for benefit purposes) we do nothing to stop this child abuse.

Timeline

14 Oct 2016 Petition opened for signatures
14 Apr 2017 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 146
Status Closed
Opened 14 Oct 2016
Closed 14 Apr 2017

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.