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All couples will be granted equal marriage rights in England and Wales, as the first civil partnership conversion ceremonies take place.
Although same-sex marriages have been taking place since the 29th March 2014, those in civil partnerships were told they would not be able to marry. Today, same-sex couples already in a civil partnership will be able to convert to a marriage, if they wish. The conversion can take place at a registry office in front of a superintendent registrar, after which, a religious figure can conduct the rest of the ceremony.
The first same-sex marriages in Scotland take place on New Year’s Eve, while gay and lesbian marriage and civil partnerships remain illegal in Northern Ireland.