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.