How do I get a Forced Marriage Protection Order?

Short answer

Apply to the Family Court on form FL401A. Orders can be made the same day without the respondent being told, and can seize passports, ban travel and exclude named people from your home. Legal aid is available without means-testing, and breach is a criminal offence.

A Forced Marriage Protection Order is made under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007. The court has an unusually wide power: it can include whatever provision it considers necessary to protect the person at risk. Breach carries up to five years' imprisonment, and forcing someone into marriage is itself a separate offence carrying up to seven.

Who can apply

The person at risk, directly — or through a litigation friend if they are under 18 or lack capacity.
A relevant third party, such as a police force or local authority, which can apply on someone's behalf even without their consent.
Anyone else with the court's permission — a charity, a teacher, a friend or another relative. Permission is usually dealt with at the same hearing as the order.

The law defines "force" broadly: threats, psychological coercion, financial pressure, social, religious or community pressure. Physical restraint is not required, and an arranged marriage both parties freely consent to is a different thing entirely.

The emergency procedure and what an order can do

Apply on form FL401A, on a without-notice basis if needed. The court hears it the same day or within 24 hours; the respondent is not present and is only served afterwards. A return hearing is listed within about 7 to 14 days at which they can attend and ask for the order to be varied or discharged.

Provisions the court commonly makes include surrender of passports and identity documents to the court, a prohibition on taking the person abroad, bans on contact by named individuals, exclusion of named people from the home, school or workplace, a requirement that police be notified if named individuals try to leave the UK, and an order to deliver up the person at risk. There are international tools too — port alerts, Foreign Office notification to embassies, and repatriation assistance where someone is already overseas. An order can last for a fixed period or indefinitely.

Legal aid for FMPO applications is not means-tested. If you are in danger now, call 999 and say it is a forced marriage or honour-based abuse case. The Forced Marriage Unit is on 020 7008 0151, 24 hours a day, for victims and for professionals; Karma Nirvana, run by survivors, is on 0800 5999 247. Most police forces have a specialist honour-based abuse team. If you are already abroad, contact the nearest British embassy or high commission — the FMU has an overseas repatriation team and can arrange a flight home.

Read the full guide: Forced Marriage Protection Orders: How to Protect Yourself or Someone ElseCovers eligibility, the process, deadlines, and next steps in depth.

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