Forced marriage protection orders — urgent protection under the 2007 Act
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
What a forced marriage protection order (FMPO) does
An FMPO under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 protects a person at risk of being forced into marriage — or who has already been forced. Orders can:
- Prevent a forced marriage from taking place
- Prevent someone being taken out of the UK
- Require passports/survival documents to be surrendered
- Require a person to be brought before the court
- Restrict contact with people arranging the marriage
- Apply to people outside the UK (orders can be made against relatives abroad)
Who can apply
- The person at risk
- A relevant third party (local authority)
- Any other person with the court's permission
Applying
- Free to apply — no court fee
- Applications can be made without notice (urgently, without telling the people arranging the marriage) where disclosure would increase risk
- The court must apply the child's welfare (if under 18) or the person's wishes as appropriate
Key contacts
- Forced Marriage Unit (FMU): 020 7008 0151 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm)
- FCDO out of hours: 020 7008 5000
- fmu@fcdo.gov.uk
- If abroad: contact the nearest British embassy/consulate
- Emergency: 999
Forced marriage vs arranged marriage
- Arranged marriage: both parties consent — family introduces, the couple decides
- Forced marriage: one or both parties do not consent — under pressure, threats, violence, or deception
This distinction matters legally: only forced marriage is criminal.
Safety first
- Use a safe device — calls, messages and browsing can be monitored
- Do not confront the family directly if it might escalate risk
- Call 999 in immediate danger
Official links
- https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/forced-marriage-unit-contact-details
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with the FMU or gov.uk.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.