Tel: 023 9282 2251
Civil partnerships
Last updated: 11 June 2010 09:48 UKWhat you need to know
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 enables same sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. Couples who form a civil partnership will have a new legal status, that of 'civil partner'.
To form a civil partnership, a couple must first enter notice of their intention to register. Before doing this both people will need to have a seven day residential qualification. They'll also have to give notice in the area where they live prior to the creation of their civil partnership.
The couple must be of the same sex, over 18 (or provide evidence of consent if either or both are 16 or 17), not related to each other within the prohibited degrees of relationship, and not in an existing marriage or civil partnership. There will be a 15 day waiting period once notice of intention to register has been given, before the registration can take place.
A fee is charged for giving a notice of civil partnership and this is currently £33.50 per person.
It may be possible to reduce the 15 day waiting period (where there are compelling reasons to do so), for a registration to take place at the residence of someone who is housebound, detained or seriously ill and not expected to recover.
It'll be possible to form a civil partnership either in a register office or a licensed venue of choice. The civil partnership will be formed once the couple have signed in the presence of a registration officer and two witnesses.
Completing the schedule
Each partner has to sign the schedule in the presence of the registrar and two witnesses. Couples may opt for a quiet signing of the schedule only, or may choose a ceremony in front of family and friends. You don't have to have a formal ceremony if you don't want to, but we will be delighted to offer advice if you would like to have one. There's also a formal, court-based process for dissolving the partnership.
Your rights
Some of the legal recognition that civil registration will give you as a couple includes:
- access to benefits including social security and state pension, including the right to benefit from a dead partner’s pension
- recognition under inheritance rules
- ability to succeed to tenancy rights
- next-of-kin visiting rights in hospital
- ability to gain parental responsibility for each others children
- right to register the death of a partner
- employment benefits
- recognition under intestacy rules
Please note that this list is by no means complete.
Further information
If you have any further questions about civil partnership registration in Portsmouth, please contact the us on 023 9282 9041 and we'll be happy to help you. You can also contact Stonewall and the Citizens Advice Bureau, who can give you more details concerning civil registration.
Please note that if either you or your partner are foreign nationals (from outside of the European Union) you must first contact us by telephone before arranging any appointments as there are different procedures and documents involved.
Contact us
- Call 023 9282 9041
- Write to or visit us at The Register Office, Milldam House, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3AF
- Email registrars@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
