How do we register our Civil Partnership?

You will need to go to the registration service to give formal notice in person of your intention to register your partnership. You will be able to register 15 days after giving this notice, during which time the registraton service will check your eligibility. Following this you will form a civil partnership by signing a document in the presence of a registration officer and two witnesses.

Where can we register our Civil Partnership?

Couples can form their partnership anywhere in the UK. However, you will still have to notify your local authority of your intention to register your partnership - they will need to know the details of where and when you are going to register.

You can register your partnership in any premises licensed to carry out registrations. For a list of venues available please contact your local authority or visit the General Register Office website www.gro.gov.uk. Alternatively have a look at the venues listed in the Pink Guide.

Can we have a ceremony?

The Civil Partnership Act requires the registrar to carry out the required legal aspects, but not to hold any type of ceremony.

However weddings are lucrative and it didn't take long for registrars to realise that if they didn't offer a ceremony to gay couples, that they would simply go to a neighbouring county where the registrar was more supportive.  We are not now aware of any registrars who won't hold a ceremony if you if you would like one.

Why is it not called a marriage?

A Civil Partnership is ultimately the same as a heterosexual marriage, in rights as well as responsibilities.

The term Civil Partnership was chosen to appease certain religious groups who were uncomfortable with the term marriage being used.