Civil partnerships

From 5 December 2005 same sex couples who wish to register their civil partnership may give their ‘Notice of Intention’ at their local Register Office.

Notices of Intention

• Must be given at the Register Office of your district of residence.
• You must both attend in person.
• You must bring the statutory fee of £30.00 per person.

There is a non-refundable £25.00 booking fee.

You then need to wait 16 days before the partnership can be registered.The partnership can be registered in any Register Office of your choice in England or Wales.

When you give your notices you will need to bring the following documents with you:

• Your passports or full birth certificates.
• Decree Absolutes – if either of you has divorced or had a marriage annulled.
• English translation – if your divorce papers are in another language.
• Death certificates – if either of you is widowed.
• Change of name papers – if either of you has changed your name.
• Gender Recognition Certificate – if either of you has changed gender.
• Two proofs of residence each.

If either of you is subject to immigration control, please visit http://www.uknationality.gov.uk for further details.

Registration

The new law does not allow for any form of ceremony but instead is intended to be a bureaucratic process. You need to attend the Register Office of your choice together with two witnesses. The registration will take place and all four of you will sign the documentation. You will then receive your civil partnership certificate. This is not intended to be a photo opportunity and will take place in a working business office. The fee will be £40.00 plus £3.50 for each certificate.

Ceremony

Here at Richmond we intend to offer ceremonies as well as signings only.

Our lovely ceremony room can accommodate up to 40 guests and has permanent fresh flowers and period décor. We have a stylish comfortable waiting room and a large garden for photographs.

We will offer a basic ceremony Monday to Friday, which will include the signing. The fee for this ceremony will be £40.00 and £3.50 for certificate.

We will offer enhanced ceremonies on Saturdays at a fee of £100.00 plus £3.50 per certificate.

If you have a Saturday ceremony, you will not receive your certificates on the day. The Certificates will be posted to you on the Monday following the ceremony.