Civil Ceremony
Legal Requirements
Documents Required
If you want to have a civil partnership ceremony, this can be a registration, a ceremony or both. The registration of a civil partnership will give both parties similar legal rights, benefits and status as married couples.
Both partners are required to give notice of intention to form a civil partnership in person at the register office for the area in which they normally reside. After 15 days, the civil partnership ceremony can take place. Non British and Non EEA Nationals please contact the Register Office.
You can have a civil partnership ceremony at any Register Office or Approved Venue throughout England and Wales. We have an up to date list of venues available, or you can get a list from the General Register Office of venues for England and Wales.
Please make an appointment to give a notice of intention to form a civil partnership. Please contact us to make arrangements.
When giving your notice of intention to form a civil partnership you should bring:
If either of you has been married or been in a civil partnership before, there will be further documentation you must provide. Please contact the Register Office.
If either of you is a widow, widower or the surviving partner of a civil partnership, we will need to see a certified copy of your former spouse's death certificate.
If you have changed your name by Deed Poll, Change of Name Deed or by Statutory Declaration, the documents will need to be shown.
If you or your partner are under 18 years old, please contact the Register Office for advice.
Page last updated: 2 April, 2012
