Civil partnership ceremony

From December 21st 2005, same-sex couples have registered their partnership under the Civil Partnerships Act. This Act confers on couples of the same sex the same legal benefits and responsibilities as marriage - for example in access to state benefits, in immigration matters, and in their tax affairs. The procedure for setting up a partnership mirrors that for civil marriage.

If you would like to register a partnership, you and your partner would need to give Notice of Civil Partnership 15 days beforehand. You would show proof of address, proof of age and photographic identification (a passport fulfils the last two functions.) People who do not hold European Union passports will need further documentation - please ask us for details. Anyone who has been married will need to show proof that the marriage is at an end. Anyone who is under 18 will need to show the consent of their parents. As with marriage, the names of the couples giving notice will be placed on public display.

Once this Notice Period has elapsed the partnership takes effect through the signing of the register in front of witnesses. If this is done in the Marriage Room at the Civic Centre there is a short, simple ceremony. You may invite a maximum of 40 guests. If you opt to register your partnership at one of our licensed venues, then we will develop a personalised ceremony to meet your wishes, based on face to face discussion with you both. At these venues much larger numbers of guests can be accommodated, and catering is usually available onsite.

The prices charged for Civil Partnership Notices are the same as for Notices of Marriage, and the prices charged for the range of Civil Partnership Ceremonies are the same as for the range of Marriage Ceremonies. Please see our Price List.