Civil partnerships
Civil Partnership
A civil partnership is a legal relationship registered by two people of the same sex. The Civil Partnership Act came into force on 5 December 2005, making Britain one of just 13 countries in the world to register civil partnerships.
Registering a civil partnership gives your relationship legal recognition, and added legal rights.
Practical information
Before you can register a civil partnership in Britain, you need to give notice of your intent. See our page on Giving notice.
After you’ve given notice, you can register your partnership in the next 12 months at an approved venue. Registering your partnership is when you and your partner sign a legal document known as the Civil Partnership Schedule, in front of a registrar and 2 witnesses. Civil partnerships can’t be registered on religious premises.
• To search for an approved venue in England and Wales, visit the General Register Office (www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/marriages/where-can-i-marry/finding--an--approved--venue.asp).
• To search for an approved venue in Scotland, visit the General Register Office for Scotland (www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/regscot/registering-a-civil-partnership-in-scotland.html).
• To search for an approved venue in Northern Ireland, visit the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (www.groni.gov.uk/civil_partnership.asp.htm).
• For unusual venues in Britain, visit our Unusual locations page.
You don’t have to have a ceremony when registering your civil partnership, but you can if you want. Many register offices hold ceremonies as part of registering the partnership. A civil partnership can’t be registered on religious premises, and no religious service is allowed at the signing of the civil partnership schedule.
To see a model ceremony for civil partnerships, visit the Association of Registration & Celebratory Services (www.arcs.uk.com/index.php?page=cps).
Honeymoons
Celebrate your civil partnership with a luxurious and exciting stay in one of Britain’s beautiful hotels. Visit our Gay Friendly Accommodation page for more information.
Gay Wedding Show
The Gay Wedding Show is Britain’s first and official gay and lesbian wedding show, where you can get all the help you need to plan your big day. To find out more about the show, read our Gay Wedding Show feature.