Civil partnerships
What is a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is a legal relationship which can be registered by two people who are not related to each other.
Civil partnerships are available to both same and opposite sex couples.
Forming a civil partnership gives your relationship legal status and recognition after which you will be known as each other’s “civil partner”.
You cannot be both married and in a civil partnership at the same time, you must choose one or the other.
What is the difference in a civil partnership and a marriage?
- The legislation relating to Civil Partnerships in England and Wales is the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and applies to England and Wales only. The process and rights of civil partnerships outside of England and Wales are relevant to the country where the civil partnership is formed.
- The term “civil partner” is used rather than husband/wife, widow/widower or spouse.
- Marriage is a verbal contract and is formed by saying vows. It is then recorded on a marriage schedule with two witnesses and marriage certificates produced.
- A civil partnership is formed by the couple signing a written contract ie. the civil partnership schedule in the presence of two witnesses and then civil partnership certificates are produced. You can still exchange rings and say vows if you wish.
- Marriage is a universally recognised means of forming a legally binding relationship between two people. Some countries do not have civil partnerships or recognise their benefits before they existed in 2004. If you have pensions or financial assets before 2004 and/or you have connections with countries outside of England and Wales we would recommend you seek legal advice before making a decision on whether to have a marriage or civil partnership. It is important that you make the right choice for you.
What are the fees and process?
The fees for a civil partnership are the same as a statutory marriage which includes two civil partnership certificates. Please see our fees page for current charges.
The civil partnership is held at the register office in the statutory marriage room with the registrar, two civil partners and two witnesses only. There is no ceremony, only the signing of the schedule but you can exchange rings and say vows if you want to.
How do I organise a civil partnership?
You book, pay and give notice of civil partnership in the same way as a marriage. Contact us at the register office is you are unsure of how to do this.
Can I convert the civil partnership to a marriage?
A same sex (male/male or female/female) couple can convert their civil partnership to a marriage but this facility is currently not available to an opposite sex (male/female) couple.
The marriage is then back dated to the date of the civil partnership.
This requires an application process and payment of a fee. Please see our fees page for current charges. The couple both need to attend the register office for an appointment but no ceremony takes place or witnesses are required.
You should contact the register office is you are a same sex couple wish to convert their civil partnership to a marriage.
More information about civil partnership can be found at the gov.uk marriages and civil partnerships webpage [external link].