Civil Partnerships
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005. This enables same sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. Couples who form a civil partnership 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 entering a notice each of the couple need to have a seven day residential qualification and to give notice in the area where they live prior to the formation of their civil partnership.
- The couple must be of the same sex, over 18 (or provide evidence of consent if over 16), not related to each other within the prohibited degrees of relationship and not in an existing marriage or civil partnership in order to enter into a civil partnership.
- There is be a 15 day waiting period once notice of intention to register has been given, before the formation can take place.
- It is possible to form a civil partnership either in a Register Office or an approved licensed venue of choice.
- The civil partnership is formed once the couple have signed a schedule in the presence of a registration officer and two witnesses.
- There is no requirement for a ceremony as part of the legal process of forming a civil partnership, in South Tyneside we will be delighted to offer a ceremony if required.
- There is a statutory fee for:
Giving the notice of partnership
The formation of the partnership at the register office
The formation of the partnership at an approved venue
partnership certificate
For a full list of prices on any of the above, please see Fees
If you would like to make a provisional booking or if you have any questions please contact the Register Office on (0191) 4246350.
