What is a civil partnership?

Who can form a civil partnership

In England and Wales, both of you must be:

• 18 or over
• not already married or in a civil partnership
• not closely related

There is no rule about your sex. Same-sex and opposite-sex couples can both form a civil partnership.

If one of you is from outside the UK or Ireland, you may need a visa first.

How to form one in England and Wales

1. Choose a venue. You can use a register office or any venue approved by the local council, such as a hotel.
2. Give notice. Book an appointment at your local register office. You must have lived in that registration district for the past 7 days.
3. Wait at least 29 days. For example, if you give notice on 1 May, the earliest date for your ceremony is 30 May.
4. Hold the ceremony within 12 months of giving notice.
5. Sign the schedule. You, your partner and at least 2 witnesses sign it. You can each add up to 4 parents.

If one of you is from outside the UK or Ireland, you usually need to give notice together.

What to bring when you give notice

Each of you needs original documents:

• a valid passport or UK birth certificate
• proof of your home address, such as a recent utility bill or Council Tax bill
• details of your ceremony venue
• proof of any name change, such as a deed poll
• a final order or death certificate if you were married or in a civil partnership before

Costs

Costs can be different at other approved venues. Ask your register office.

How it differs from a marriage

• No vows needed. You can exchange vows if you want to, but you do not have to.
• No religious content. A civil partnership ceremony cannot include anything religious, such as hymns or Bible readings.

Your legal rights

Once you form a civil partnership you get:

• some tax benefits, including inheritance tax allowances
• parental rights and responsibilities if you have children together
• the right to inherit if your partner dies without a will

Any will you made before usually becomes invalid, so you may need a new one. These rights do not apply if you just live together without forming a civil partnership.

Ending or converting a civil partnership

To end one, you apply to a court. You must have been in the civil partnership for over a year first.

Same-sex couples can convert a civil partnership into a marriage. You cannot convert an opposite-sex civil partnership to a marriage in England and Wales.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

• Scotland: you can form a civil partnership from age 16. The law does not limit it to couples of a particular sex.
• Northern Ireland: you must be at least 16. If you are under 18 you need permission from a parent or guardian. A civil partnership with someone under 18 will not be recognised in England and Wales. You cannot convert any civil partnership into a marriage in Northern Ireland.

Related guides

• How do I give notice of marriage?
• Can I claim Marriage Allowance?
• How do I get a divorce?
• How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Where this comes from

• Marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales
• Give notice
• Documents you'll need to give notice
• Plan your ceremony
• Legal rights and responsibilities
• End a civil partnership
• Convert a civil partnership into a marriage
• Civil Partnership Act 2004, section 86: eligibility in Scotland (legislation.gov.uk)
• Guidance on civil partnerships in Northern Ireland (nidirect)