We’re waiting for a new Petitions Committee

Petitions had to stop because of the recent general election. Once a new Petitions Committee is set up by the House of Commons, petitions will start again.

Find out more on the Petitions Committee website

Rejected petition Allow weddings/civil partnerships with 5 people max during the Covid-19 outbreak

Weddings / civil partnerships can be conducted with only 5 people present (bride & groom or partners, the registrar, and two witnesses), and could easily be conducted in accordance with social distancing. Such ceremonies present minimal risk and should be allowed to continue during this crisis.

More details

Marriage (or equivalent) is a human right, outlined in Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When there is a health crisis going on, people must have the right to marry, to protect the rights of their partner if they were to become ill or die. This is especially important where one partner is estranged from their family who may attempt to deny the other partner's involvement, eg in health care decisions or funeral, as well as important for tax and bereavement support rights.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/309262

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.