Today, the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill had its first reading in the Northern Ireland Assembly, which will enshrine humanist marriage into law. Humanist marriages are already legal in Northern Ireland due to a court case, but this is technically a ‘temporary arrangement’ based on a court ruling, rather than a change in the law. This new Bill will finally change the law.
In 2024 15% of all marriages in Northern Ireland were humanist, more than religious marriages conducted by the three big Protestant churches, and in 2025 Northern Ireland Humanists celebrated the 5000th legally recognised humanist marriage.
About the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill
The Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill will place in statute, and so make permanent, the temporary arrangements that have applied to belief marriage since Northern Ireland Humanists patrons Laura Lacole and Eunan O’Kane won their legal challenge. Other aspects of the Bill include raising the minimum age for marriage and civil partnership to 18.
The Bill could become law by the end of this year, putting humanist marriages on the same legal footing as religious marriages in Northern Ireland.
About humanist marriages
Humanist weddings are non-religious wedding ceremonies that are fully customised to match the deepest-held values and beliefs of the couple getting married. They are conducted by a humanist celebrant, someone guaranteed to share their beliefs. In consultation with the couple, the celebrant produces a completely bespoke ceremony. The ceremony can also occur in whatever location is most meaningful for the couple. Northern Ireland Humanists has more than 65 trained and accredited wedding celebrants, with Humanists UK as a whole having over 370.
Humanist marriages gained legal recognition in Northern Ireland in August 2018 following a successful court case. Humanist marriages are also legally recognised in Ireland, Scotland, and the Channel Islands.
In England and Wales, couples must still undergo a separate civil ceremony for their humanist wedding to be legally recognised – something Humanists UK continues to campaign to change.
Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented:
‘Enshrining humanist marriages into law is a popular and welcome move, and couples across Northern Ireland will celebrate it. Humanist weddings are deep, meaningful, tailor-made and heartfelt, and it’s no wonder they’re incredibly popular. We look forward to seeing the legislation brought forward and working constructively on it.
‘Northern Ireland has become a trailblazer for humanist marriages across these islands. These numbers should inspire change at last in England and Wales, where legal recognition is still lacking. We urge the UK Government to extend legal recognition to England and Wales as soon as possible, so that thousands more couples could have marriages in line with their worldview.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at boyd@humanists.uk or phone 07918 975795.
Read more about Humanist Weddings in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Humanists is part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.