Civil Partnership (revised 2021)

A civil partnership is a legal relationship entered by a couple, which is then registered and provides them with similar legal rights as married couples.

Civil partnerships were introduced in 2005 to legally recognise a same sex union. In Scotland from 30 June 2021 opposite sex couples can also enter into a civil partnership. Bookings for a mixed sex civil partnership can be made for a time on or after this date.

What are the differences

• Marriage is formed by ceremony and vows, whereas a civil partnership is formed by signing a civil partnership schedule. Although a ceremony is not required some couples wish to have one.
• Marriage is ended by divorce, whereas civil partnership is ended by dissolution.
• All couples now have a choice of how they wish to seal their relationship.

If you are already in a civil partnership and wish to take the administration route to marriage, please contact us and a suitable appointment will be made for you.

Before the appointment you will be asked to read the information on changing a civil partnership to marriage and bring a completed application form with you along with

• your civil partnership certificate
• form of photo identification for both parties - normally passports.

If you would like to discuss anything connected to civil partnerships or conversion to marriage, please contact us.