Same-Sex Couples Are Not Allowed to Register for Marriage, But Can They Hold a Wedding Ceremony?
Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 8 of the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family, the conditions for marriage are prescribed as follows:
- A man and a woman getting married must comply with the following conditions:
a) The man must be at least 20 years old, and the woman must be at least 18 years old;
b) The marriage must be voluntarily decided by the man and the woman;
c) Neither party has lost civil act capacity;
d) The marriage does not fall into one of the prohibited cases prescribed at points a, b, c, and d, Clause 2, Article 5 of this Law.
- The State does not recognize marriage between persons of the same sex.
Thus, currently, the law does not recognize means that the law does not permit same-sex individuals to register their marriage at competent state agencies or to be regarded as husband and wife with corresponding rights and obligations. However, the law does not interfere with the organization of a wedding ceremony between two people as such wedding or engagement ceremonies do not have legal validity in marriage.
Respectfully!
