Since the introduction of new marriage laws in 2004 there has been an increase in the number of religious ceremonies taking place outside religious buildings and civil marriages taking place outside Registrar’s Offices. Almost 5% of religious marriages took place outside religious buildings and over one-third (36%) of civil marriages took place outside Registrar’s Offices.
Just under 2,600 divorces were registered in Northern Ireland in 2006, which is the highest annual number ever recorded. Of couples married in Northern Ireland in the mid-1980s it is estimated just over one in six were divorced by their twentieth wedding anniversary.
The Civil Partnership Act came into force in December 2005, enabling same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. During 2006 there were 116 civil partnership registered.
A NISRA spokesperson said: “Just under 8,300 marriages were registered last year up on the 2001 low of 7,300 marriages, while the latest figures on divorce show a record number of divorces recorded in 2006. In the first full year since the Civil Partnership Act came into force 116 civil partnerships (65 male and 51 female) were registered.”
Marriage and civil partnership figures are based on returns from local registrars. Divorce statistics have been compiled from ‘Decrees Absolute’ data from the Northern Ireland Court Service. All media inquiries should be directed to DFP Press Office (028 9052 7374). The full statistical release can be found at:
http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/marriages_divorces/MDCP2006.pdf
