Registering a Civil Partnership
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- about samples of ceremonies that are available
Who can register as civil partners?
To register as civil partners, you must be:
- The same sex
- At least 18 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent)
You must not:
- Already be a civil partner or married
- Be closely related (the Act gives details of prohibited relationships)
How to form a civil partnership
You both need to give notice that you intend to form a civil partnership at least 16 days before the partnership formation. Notice must be given at the Register Office in the area in which you have been resident for the previous 7 days and once given, is valid for one year. To give notice in Sheffield please contact Sheffield Register Office to make an appointment.
To contact other Register Offices please follow these links:
In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to reduce the 16 day waiting period. An example of this may be in the case of a serious illness. For more information please contact the appropriate Register Office.
What documents you will need
- When giving notice you will need to show proof of your identity and your nationality. Passports are ideal for this purpose but if you do not have a current valid passport we will advise you as to what other forms of documentation can be used to prove your nationality
- If either of you have been in a previous registered partnership or has been married you will need to show legal proof that this has been dissolved. If this was dissolved in a foreign country we will need to see the original document issued by that country, along with an English translation if it is in a foreign language
- If either of you are widowed or a previous partner has died we will need to see a certified copy of your former spouse or partners death certificate. You will also need to show us a certificate relating to your former marriage or partnership
- If you have changed your name by Deed Poll, Change of name Deed or by Statutory Declaration you will need to bring the document with you
- If either of you are under eighteen we will need to see proof that your parent(s) or guardian(s) agree to the registration taking place. If your parents are divorced we will also need to see the Court Order that gives custody to one or other parent. Please contact the Register Office for advice
- Address - driving licence or utility bill/bank statement showing your current address
- If either of you are subject to immigration control there are special procedures to follow and more information can be obtained from the Register Office or from the Home Office website
Where and when you can form a civil partnership
A civil partnership can take place at any Register Office or approved premise in England and Wales provided that notice has been given as above.
Civil partnerships can only be registered between 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.
What Approved Premises are
An approved premise is a building which has been licensed by the Local Authority for the performing of civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies in their Registration District.
You can download a list of approved premises in Sheffield or follow this link for information on all of the approved premises in England and Wales by visiting the General Register Office website page Registering a civil partnership, search for an approved venue
What happens at a civil partnership formation
The civil partnership will be registered once each of you have signed the civil partnership schedule in the presence of the registrar and two witnesses. A ceremony is not required under the Civil Partnership Act but the Register Office would be pleased to offer a ceremony if you so wish.
Costs of registration
There are statutory fees for giving the notice of intention to form a civil partnership of £30.00 each and a single fee of £40.00 for a civil partnership formation in the Register Office. The fees for civil partnership formations at approved premises vary but are more expensive. Please contact the appropriate Register Office for details. Certificates cost £3.50 each on the day of the civil partnership formation but copy certificates may be obtained at a later date for the standard fee of £7.00 each. Getting copy certificates
How far ahead you can book your civil partnership
You can provisionally book your civil partnership up to two years ahead. Please contact the appropriate Register Office for more information.
Samples of ceremonies
You can choose from the samples of ceremonies available as downloadable documents below. The samples can be amended if you wish but the content must not include references to religion because ceremonies are civil in law.
For more general information on civil partnerships please visit the Government Equalities Office website
Downloads
A list of approved premises for marriages and civil partnerships in Sheffield (61 KB)
Choice No. 1. If registration of the civil partnership only is required and the partners only wish to read the declaration. (20 KB)
If the registration of the civil partnership only is required but where the partners wish to repeat the declaration to each other in front of their guests. (20 KB)
Choice No. 3. Full ceremony to be attached to the registration of the civil partnership. (21.5 KB)
Choice No.4. Full ceremony to be attached to the registration of the civil partnership. (22 KB)
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