Registration

Since 5 December 2005, it has been possible to begin the process of registering a civil partnership by giving notice at a register office. Once notice is given, your details are displayed at the register office for a waiting period of 15 days. During the passage of the Civil Partnership Act concerns were raised for the privacy of applicants where they could become the targets of homophobic attacks. It was felt to be important that the notice is public to allow for objections (as with marriage) but it was decided that the details displayed will not include addresses.

Registration is simply a matter of signing the register in the presence of witnesses. It is a civil ceremony like a civil marriage and the law specifically says that there cannot be a religious element to the registration itself. Many register offices are accepting expressions of interest in advance of the new legislation but other local authorities have been hostile to their new legal duties – see Discrimination.

Registration 
Before you register 
Pre-partnership agreements
Social Security
Living in the UK