Civil Partnership Registration
What is a Civil Partnership?
- Civil partnership is a new legal relationship which
two people of the same sex can form by signing a formal
registration document. It is intended to give
recognition to long term, stable relationships and help
same sex couples to organise their lives together.
- Civil partnership registration is available to
adult same sex couples who are not in an existing
registered civil partnership or marriage and who are
not closely related.
What are the legal consequences of registering a civil
partnership?
- On signing a partnership agreement, same sex
couples would gain rights and responsibilities similar
to those of an opposite sex couple who enter into a
civil marriage.
Rights and responsibilities include:-
- A duty to provide reasonable maintenance for your
civil partner and any children of the family
- Civil partners to be assessed in the same way as
married couples for child support and other
benefits
- Equal treatment with married couples for the
purpose of life assurance, employment and pension
benefits
- Recognition under inheritance and intestacy
rules
- Right to register the death of a partner
- Tenancy succession rights
- Access to fatal accident compensation
- Protection from domestic violence
- Recognition for immigration and nationality
purposes
What if the civil partnership breaks down?
- A civil partnership agreement is intended to give
recognition to a long-term and stable relationship and
so, once formed, it can only be ended by a formal,
court based process similar to divorce proceedings and
will involve arrangements for fair division of property
and appropriate residence and contact arrangements for
children.
Who can form a civil partnership?
- Any same sex couple who are over 18 years of age,
not related to each other and not in an existing
marriage or civil partnership can apply to form a civil
partnership.
How do couples apply to form a civil partnership?
- Both parties will have to give notice of their
intention to form a civil partnership at the register
office for the district in which they are usually
resident. The very first day that notice can be given
is 5
th December 2005.
- There will be a 15 day waiting period once notice
of intention to register the partnership has been
given, this means the very first partnership
registration can take place on 21
st December 2005.
- On the day of registration of the partnership the
couple will sign the partnership register in the
presence of a registration officer and two
witnesses.
- There will be no requirement for any words to be
said as part of the legal process of forming the civil
partnership.
Where can a civil partnership be registered?
- A civil partnership can be registered at any
register office or other building licensed for civil
marriage in England or Wales.
Will it be possible to combine the partnership
registration with a ceremony?
- If they wish a couple can arrange to have a
ceremony to accompany the formal signing of the
partnership register but this is not a legal
requirement.
- The format and content of the partnership ceremony
will vary from one district to another and couples
should enquire about this before making a definite
booking.
What does it cost to form a civil partnership?
- There will be nationally set, statutory fees for
the giving of a notice and the completion/signing of
the partnership register.
- There will be an additional fee charged if the
couple decide they would like to celebrate their
partnership registration with a ceremony. These fees
will be set locally and will vary from district to
district.
What is a Commitment Ceremony?
A commitment ceremony offers
couples the opportunity to pledge themselves to a permanent
relationship with each other in a formal and meaningful
ceremony. Whether you want a totally private ceremony, just
the two of you, or you decide to make your promises of
lifelong commitment in front of your family and friends,
you will be given the opportunity to choose your own
ceremony so that it will be a personal and truly memorable
occasion.
Ceremonies can be arranged
by any adult couple (you must both be over 18 years of
age).
All ceremonies are of a
non-religious nature and neither the commitment ceremony
nor any document issued following the ceremony has any
legal significance and as such is not legally binding. The
ceremony will be conducted by a 'celebrant' who will not be
acting in any legal or official capacity. However, he/she
will be offering his/her help, advice and expertise to make
your ceremony an enjoyable and meaningful event.
Where Can Ceremonies Be Held?
Commitment Ceremonies can be
held at Rotherham Register Office or in any other venue
with a suitable function room and holding a public
entertainment licence such as hotels, parish rooms/civic
centres etc. Commitment Ceremonies are available throughout
South Yorkshire. If your local Register Office does not
provide this service it may be possible to arrange for a
celebrant from Rotherham to attend to conduct the ceremony
for you. Unfortunately, we are not able to attend at
ceremonies in private homes.
How To Arrange a Commitment Ceremony
For enquiries about
commitment ceremonies or to arrange a pre-ceremony meeting
please telephone (01709) 823542
More information about the Civil Partnership Bill is
available on:-
www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk
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