Same-sex couples can marry from 29 March 2014 ============================================= ![Same-sex couples can marry from 29 March 2014](https://vardags.com/images/pictures/_360/d90cc25f1ae1b87b51137eb609ca3401.jpeg)The [Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/30/contents/enacted/data.htm) received Royal Assent on 11 December 2013. The Bill will enable same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies. It will also permit those religious organisations who wish to conduct marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples to opt in, meaning no religious organisation will be forced to do so. In order for the ceremony to occur in a place of worship, the premises will need to be registered for marriages of same-sex couples, and it will be up to each individual minister to decide if they are willing to conduct the marriage. In order for the bill to be compatible with the Equality Act 2010, the bill amends the Act to ensure that it does not amount to unlawful discrimination for a religious organisation to refuse to marry a same-sex couple. Those couples who wish to be one of the first couples to marry will need to give formal notice of their intention to do so by 13 March 2014. Not only does this new piece of legislation allow same-sex couples to get married, but it opens the doors to people who are currently in civil partnerships finally to become a married couple. "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times "One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire "Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png) "Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC "Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail "Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client) "Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png) More Family Law news -------------------- [US law proposes to sanction countries over child abduction](https://vardags.com/family-law/us-sanction-countries-child-abduction "US law proposes to sanction countries over child abduction") [Child Maintenance Service open to all new applicants](https://vardags.com/family-law/child-maintenance-service-open-to-all-new-applicants "Child Maintenance Service open to all new applicants") [Same-sex couples can marry from 29 March 2014](https://vardags.com/family-law/same-sex-couples-can-marry-from-29-march-2014 "Same-sex couples can marry from 29 March 2014") [Guts before Garters: how following your instincts can prevent an unhappy marriage](https://vardags.com/family-law/listen-to-your-gut-feeling-before-you-wed "Guts before Garters: how following your instincts can prevent an unhappy marriage") [Clare's Law pilot scheme set to become a national scheme](https://vardags.com/family-law/clares-law-pilot-scheme-set-become-national-scheme "Clares Law pilot scheme set to become a national scheme")