Frequently Asked Questions

Please select the appropriate commonly asked questions from the list below to view the answer:

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?

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 eight days prior to giving the notice.  Please note, if you or your partner is subject to immigration control (that is, not a citizen of the European Economic Area) you will need to give notice of intention together at a designated register office.

You will 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 (closed until 1pm on the first Thursday of the month).   Please call 020 7641 1161.

Both partners will need to produce passports as evidence of identity and nationality and some proof of residence in the form of a utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement dated within the last three months.  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 1161.

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 The Old Marylebone Town Hall Westminster Council House, Marylebone Road, NW1 or at Approved Premises that have been approved for marriages and civil partnerships. Westminster has over 120 approved premises.

What time of the day can the registration take place?

Partnerships can be formed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. which mirrors the hours in which marriages are held. The last booking is usually  at 5 p.m.

What form will the registration take?

There is no requirement for couples to say particular contractual words as part of the registration process nor is there any legal necessity for any form of ceremony. The minimum requirement is for the couple to attend before an authorised civil partnership officer to sign 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 have formulated a civil commitment ceremony that can be used as a template for couples going through the process and couples are encouraged 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 £33.50 per person (payable to the relevant local authority).

Civil partnership registrations can take place in any one of the four licensed rooms at the Old Marylebone Town Hall.

*The Old Marylebone Town Hall is open on selected Sundays for Civil Partnership ceremonies. For further enquiries and to check availability please call 0207 641 1162.

Alternatively you can choose to hold the registration at any one of our approved venues. 

The fees 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 £9.00 per copy.