Marriage Bill 2015

Public bill · Government · Presented

The Marriage Bill 2015 would allow couples to marry regardless of sex, following the constitutional amendment approved by voters in May 2015. It would recognise qualifying same-sex marriages from abroad, let civil partners marry each other without first ending their partnership, and close civil partnerships to new registrations after a transition period. It would also protect religious bodies and solemnising officials from being required to conduct ceremonies they do not recognise, while updating rules on guardianship, inheritance, social protections and gender recognition so they apply consistently to same-sex married couples.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004 to remove the impediment to marriage of the parties being of the same sex; to repeal certain provisions of Part 7A of that Act relating to registration of civil partnerships; to make provision in relation to religious bodies; to provide for the recognition of marriages under the law of a place other than the State; to amend the Succession Act 1965, the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 and the Gender Recognition Act 2015; to amend other enactments and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Last updated 12 April 2018