Civil Partnerships  

The Civil Partnership Act became law on the 5^th December 2005 and allows same sex couples to register their partnership at their local Registry Office.  The ceremony can be conducted anywhere from a registry office, a venue or your own home.  This union gives both parties almost all the legal rights and responsibilities as that of a heterosexual married couple. 

 Both parties must be over 18 years of age or have parental consent if aged 16-18 years and after the ceremony civil partners become each other’s next-of-kin. 

As with any civil union, same-sex couples wishing to take part in civil partnerships need to give notice at a registry office of their intention to register for a civil partnership at least 15 days before the ceremony.  The ceremony is conducted by a Registrar who will ask both parties to make legal declarations and sign the register in the presence of two witnesses.   The couple are free to write their own vows, exchange rings and have family and friends present in the same way as any other union or to organize a blessing following the civil ceremony.