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Please select the appropriate commonly asked questions from the list below to view the answer:
When does it come into effect?
What do both partners need to do?
What if one partner is not an UK or EU Citizen?
When can the partnership be registered?
Where can the partnership be registered?
What time of the day can the registration take place?
What form will the registration take?
How much will it cost?
Further information
When does it come into effect?
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received Royal Assent on 18th November 2004. The provisions of the Act will be implemented on 5th December 2005 and from that date those wishing to enter into a same-sex civil partnership will be able to give notice of their intention to do so. This will allow the first civil partnerships to be formed from 21st December, 2005.
What do both partners need to do?
Both partners will need to give legal notice of their intended partnership to the local authority in which they have been resident for the seven days prior to giving the notice.
You do not need to make an appointment to give notice. The Westminster Register Office opening hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. We aim to see everyone within 20 minutes.
Both partners will need to produce passports as evidence of identity and nationality and some proof of residence in the form of utility bills, Council Tax bill, bank statement or any other form of official documentation. If either party has been through a marriage or other partnership previously they would also have to produce evidence of its dissolution.
What if one partner is not an UK or EU Citizen?
If one of the partners is subject to immigration control it will be necessary for both partners to attend together a designated register office (of which Westminster is one) to give the required notice. Further information on this aspect of the process can be obtained from Westminster Register Office on 020 7641 1303
When can the partnership be registered?
The notices of intended partnership will be placed on public display for a period of 15 clear days after which the partnership can be formed.
Where can the partnership be registered?
The partnership can be formed in any local authority, irrespective of the residence of the couple. In Westminster this can either be at the Westminster Register Office in the former Marylebone Town Hall, Marylebone Road, NW1 or at Approved Premises that have previously been approved for marriages. Westminster has over 80 approved premises.
What time of the day can the registration take place?
Partnerships will have to be formed between the hours of 8am and 6pm which mirrors the hours in which marriages can be held. The last booking will be at 5 p.m.
What form will the registration take?
There will be no requirement for couples to say particular contractual words as part of the registration process nor will there be any legal necessity for any form of ceremony. The minimum requirement will be the couple attending before an authorised civil partnership officer and signing the registration in the presence of two witnesses. However, Westminster Council is keen that the formation of the partnership should be a meaningful and significant event that can be celebrated by the couple and their guests if they wish. We will be formulating a civil commitment ceremony that can be used as a template for couples going through the process and couples will be enabled to customise that ceremony if they want a more personalised celebration.
How much will it cost?
The fee to give notice of intention to form a civil partnership is set at £30 per person (payable to the relevant local authority).
Civil partnership registrations can take place in any one of the four ceremony rooms at the Old Marylebone Town Hall.
Alternatively you can choose to hold the registration at any one of our approved venues at the following cost:
The fees quoted include one civil partnership certificate issued on the day of the registration. Any additional certificates requested on the day of the registration will be charged at £3.50 per copy. Any additional certificates issued after the day of the registration will be charged at £7.00 per copy. Please note that registration fees may vary in each local authority but that the basic statutory fee for a registration to take place at a register office is £40 (plus £3.50 per certificate).
For further information contact:
Alison Cathcart, Superintendent Registrar
E-mail Contact the Register Office
Tel: 020 7641 1303
Fax: 020 7641 1246
Address:
The Register Office
Westminster Council House
Marylebone Road
London NW1 5PT
The Women and Equalities Unit of the DTI have produced a useful list of questions and answers that may be found at the following link please click here.
2008 Westminster City Council. Contact the Council
