Civil Partnership Civil partnership is a legal relationship, which can be formed by two people of the same sex.
It gives same-sex couples the ability to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. Couples who form a civil partnership will have a legal status – that of a civil partner.
Same-sex couples who form a civil partnership will have parity (equal) of treatment in a wide range of legal matters with heterosexual couples who enter into a civil marriage.
How does civil partnership differ from marriage?
Civil partnership is exclusively for same-sex couples and distinct from marriage. The government has sought to give civil partners parity of treatment with married heterosexual couples from the rights and responsibilities that come from forming a civil partnership.
There are a small number of differences between civil partnership and marriage, for example, a civil partnership is formed when the second civil partner signs the relevant document and a civil marriage is formed when the couple exchange spoken words. Opposite sex couples can opt for a religious or civil marriage ceremony as they choose, whereas formation of a civil partnership will be an exclusively civil procedure.
Am I eligible to form a civil partnership?
In order to form a civil partnership in the UK, the couple must both be of the same sex, not already in a civil partnership or marriage, be 16 years of age or older and not within the prohibited degrees of relationship.
In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, individuals who are aged 16 and 17 will have to obtain the written consent of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) before forming a civil partnership. In Scotland individuals aged 16 or over will be able to register their partnership without the need for parental consent. This is also the rule, in Scotland, for opposite sex couples who marry.
How do we go about forming a civil partnership?
If you both live in Southwark, you will both need to visit the registration service to give formal notice in person of your intention to enter in a civil partnership. You can do this by calling to make an afternoon appointment on 020 7525 7651. We also offer a "no appointment" service for the first ten people arriving at 9.30am, between Monday to Friday. Download a  map of our office.
The walk-in service is only available to couples with a civil partnership within the next 2 months. If your civil partnership is more than 2 months away, please book an appointment to give notice.
There will be a period of 15 days that will need to pass between giving this notice and being able to register as civil partners of each other. This will allow the registration service to make the proper checks to ensure that you both meet the eligibility requirements. Download a list of things you will need to bring with you.
When you give notice of your intention to form a civil partnership, you will be asked where you want your civil partnership registration to take place.
A civil partnership is formed when the proposed civil partners sign the relevant document in the presence of a registration officer and two witnesses.
There are special procedures for forming a civil partnership when one of the couple is seriously ill and not expected to recover, or is detained in a hospital or prison, or when one of the parties are subject to UK immigration control. Download information on what happens when you are subject to immigration control.
Can I have a ceremony? 
Of course you can! You will be able to arrange a ceremony in addition to the registration procedure if you wish, but if you choose not to, the Civil Partnership Act does not require a ceremony as part of the registration procedure.
Civil partnership registration is an entirely secular process and the Civil Partnership Act prevents any religious service from taking place during the statutory steps leading to the formation of a civil partnership.
You can work with the registrar to put together a ceremony that will be meaningful for you. We have lots of experience of ceremonies, so we are here to help.
How much will it cost?
- To give notice of your intent to enter into a civil partnership costs £30 for each person
- If you don't want a ceremony and just want to sign the relevant paperwork the statutory fee is £43.50
- If you require a ceremony in the garden room, the fee is £127
- If you require a ceremony with more than 50 guests, our approved venues are for you. View the list of fees for registrars to attend
All listed approved venues are licensed for both marriages and civil partnerships. Download a list of approved venues.
Further information
For further information visit the government's Women and Equality Unit website or contact Southwark on 020 7525 7651, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm.
Contact us
Southwark Register Office
Tel: 020 7525 7651
Fax: 020 7525 7652
registrars@southwark.gov.uk
34 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8QA |