The Sham Marriage and Civil Partnership (Referral of Proposed Marriages and Civil Partnerships) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Part 4 of the Immigration Act 2014 (c. 22) (“the 2014 Act”) established a scheme for the referral of proposed marriages and civil partnerships to the Secretary of State, who must decide whether to investigate the proposed marriage or civil partnership to determine whether it is a sham. All proposed marriages and civil partnerships where at least one party is not exempt must be referred to the Secretary of State. Exempt persons include (among others) those who are exempt from immigration control.
Lifecycle
Department
Made
29 Jan 2026
—
In force
25 Feb 2026
Enabling power
the 1949 Act the 2004 Act the 2014 Act The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 28G(2), (3)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of the Marriage Act 1949 (“”), section 9E(2), (3)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (“”)and sections 54(2), 54(3), 60(1), (2)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), and paragraph 3(1), (2)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Schedule 5 to, the Immigration Act 2014 (“”). In accordance with section 28G(5) of the 1949 Act and section 9E(6) of the 2004 Act and sections 54(7) and 60(3) of the 2014 Act, the Secretary of State has consulted the Registrar General for England and Wales, the Registrar General for Scotland and the Registrar General for Northern Ireland before making these Regulations.
DocumentsOpen on legislation.gov.uk →