Mosques, imams and the law on marriage

What is changing

In 2026 the government consulted on reforming weddings law in England and Wales. The consultation closed on 24 September 2026. Its proposals would move from a system based on registered buildings to one based on officiants. They would also allow legal consent to be given through the ijab and qubul (offer and acceptance) of a nikah.

Nothing has changed yet, and no date has been set. But if the proposals go ahead, imams could conduct legal weddings as nominated officiants, with duties for safeguarding, consent and registration.

How we help today

• Registration now. How a mosque can register for marriages and appoint an authorised person, so that nikahs are also legal marriages.
• Safeguarding. Spotting forced marriage and coercion, speaking to each party alone, and when to stop a ceremony.
• Records. Clear written records of consent, the mahr and any conditions.
• Talks for your community. Why a civil marriage matters, and the rights of wives under both systems.

How a mosque registers for marriages today

Under current law, a nikah at your mosque is also a legal marriage only if the building is registered for marriages and the right person is present. These are the steps.

1. 1

   Certify the building as a place of worship

   The imam, owner or a trustee applies to the local register office on Form 76. The application needs a floor plan and a weekly timetable showing the building is mainly used for worship. There is a small fee.

2. 2

   Apply to register it for marriages

   Form 78 must be signed by 20 householders who regard the mosque as their usual place of worship, and countersigned by a trustee. The fee covers the legal notices in a local newspaper and the London Gazette.

3. 3

   Hold marriages with a registrar present

   Once registered, marriages can take place at the mosque. A registrar attends to register each one until the mosque has its own authorised person.

4. 4

   Appoint an authorised person

   After the building has been registered for a year, the trustees can appoint an authorised person, often the imam, who registers marriages without a registrar.

You can check whether any mosque is already registered on the official list of places of worship registered for marriage on GOV.UK. We can guide your trustees through each step.

Join the waiting list for officiant training

When the reform is confirmed, we will offer training for imams covering English law, safeguarding and the Islamic marriage contract. Register your interest below and we will contact you first.