Uzbekistan has increased the size of fines for conducting Muslim marriage ceremonies, known as nikah, without prior state registration in civil registry bodies. The relevant law was signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and published in the national legislative database.
These changes affect Article 47-3 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility of Uzbekistan, which regulates violations of legislation on the legal age for marriage and marriage procedures. The law was adopted by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, approved by the Senate, and entered into force after official publication.
Under the new provisions, the fine for holding a nikah without state registration has increased from the previous 15–30 basic calculation units (BCU) to 30–50 BCU. According to estimates provided in the initial report, this is equivalent to approximately 1200–1840 US dollars.
Furthermore, fines for marrying before reaching the age of 18 have been increased by 10–15 BCU, corresponding to approximately 400–550 US dollars, according to the original data.
In 2017, Uzbekistan banned imams from conducting Muslim wedding ceremonies without prior registration with civil registry bodies. In 2023, the country also introduced administrative liability for promoting polygamy, which stipulates a penalty of up to 15 days imprisonment.