Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Northern Ireland since 13 January 2020, following the enactment of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.^[1]^[2] The first marriage ceremony took place on 11 February 2020.^[3] Civil partnerships have also been available for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland since their introduction by the Government of the United Kingdom in 2005.

Between 2012 and 2015, the Northern Ireland Assembly voted five times on same-sex marriage, and although it was passed by a slim majority on the fifth attempt, it was vetoed by the Democratic Unionist Party using the petition of concern.^[4] Following the inconclusive 2017 Assembly election and failure to form a Northern Ireland Executive by the deadline of 21 October 2019, provisions in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 mandating same-sex marriage by 13 January 2020 took effect.^[5] Regulations implementing same-sex marriage were signed by Julian Smith, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 19 December 2019.^[6] The politician who introduced the 13 January 2020 deadline into the legislation, Baron Hayward, did so in order to allow enough time to update all legislation impacted by the change, such as pension rights and parental responsibilities.^[7] Marriages of same-sex couples became legally recognised on 13 January 2020, with couples free to register their intent to marry and couples who had previously married elsewhere having their unions recognised from that date.^[8]^[9]

^ "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019". legislation.gov.uk.
^ Page, Chris (22 October 2019). "Northern Ireland abortion and same-sex marriage laws change". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
^ Media, P. A. (11 February 2020). "First same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
^ Mortimer, Caroline (2 November 2015). "Northern Ireland same-sex marriage vote vetoed by DUP". The Independent. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
^ Page, Chris (22 October 2019). "Northern Ireland abortion and same-sex marriage laws change". BBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
^ "Secretary of State Julian Smith signs regulations introducing same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media PLC. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
^ "Q&A: Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
^ "Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland". BBC News. 13 January 2020.
^ "Same sex marriage is finally legal in Northern Ireland". CNN. 13 January 2020.

[kon-2] Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.

[3] Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.

[4] Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.

[usa-5] Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.

[israel-6] Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.

[eu-7] The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.

[8] A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding.

[9] Guardianship agreements, conferring some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care.

[10] Inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.

[11] Courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.

[12] Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.

[13] Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights.

[14] Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.

[notyet-1] Not yet in effect.

[15] "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019". legislation.gov.uk.

[bbc-page-2019-16] Page, Chris (22 October 2019). "Northern Ireland abortion and same-sex marriage laws change". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 October 2019.

[firstmarriage-17] Media, P. A. (11 February 2020). "First same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 February 2020.

[mortimer-18] Mortimer, Caroline (2 November 2015). "Northern Ireland same-sex marriage vote vetoed by DUP". The Independent. Retrieved 1 February 2017.

[19] Page, Chris (22 October 2019). "Northern Ireland abortion and same-sex marriage laws change". BBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2019.

[bt-signed-2019-20] "Secretary of State Julian Smith signs regulations introducing same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media PLC. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.

[bbc-q&a-21] "Q&A: Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.

[legalrecognition-22] "Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland". BBC News. 13 January 2020.

[23] "Same sex marriage is finally legal in Northern Ireland". CNN. 13 January 2020.

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