Civil partnerships

Since December 2005 same sex couples in permanent relationships have had the opportunity to have their relationship recognised in law. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 created a new legal relationship of civil partners. This provides couples with parity of treatment in a wide range of legal matters with opposite sex couples who enter into marriage. The Government intends that registered civil partnership should be long term stable relationships. Opposite sex couples are not eligible for civil partnership registration as they can obtain the same rights and responsibilities by marriage. There will be a formal court based process for dissolution of a partnership.

Rights and responsibilities for civil partners
Civil partnership registration provides a framework whereby partners can acknowledge their mutual responsibilities and manage their financial arrangements reflecting the commitment they make to each other. These rights and responsibilities apply during the partnership and also on the death of a partner or the ending of the relationship. Partners will be recognised in many areas, some of which have caused difficulties in the past. These include recognition under intestacy rules and life assurance, for tax purposes, for pension and employment benefits, the inheritance of tenancy agreements, death registration of a partner, recognition for immigration and nationality purposes, parental responsibility and others.

More information at www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/civilpartnership and www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/civilpartnerships

The process of forming a civil partnership
A partnership formation takes effect when the couple sign to register their partnership in the presence of two witnesses and a registration officer. They must first complete the legal preliminaries :-

• Both reside for at least 7 days in England or Wales
• Give notice of their intention to form a civil partnership by attending their local register office. If either or both partners are subject to immigration controls then both parties must attend together to a designated register office (Wandsworth is a designated office) with proof of their eligibility from the Home Office.
• Notices are on public display for a 15 day waiting period.
• The partnership formation can then take place.

Requirements for notice giving

• The couple must be of the same sex, over 18 years (or provide evidence of consent of parent/s/guardian if 16 to 18 years), not related to each other within the prohibited degrees of relationship and not in an existing marriage or civil partnership. They must also have lived concurrently for at least 7 days in the area where notice is being given.
• You must have decided on the venue for your civil partnership formation before you attend to give your notice.
• Evidence must be produced for identity and nationality - a current passport is best for this and some proof of residence- council tax or utility bill.
• Proof of the ending of any former marriage or civil partnership will also be required.
• For anyone subject to immigration control Home Office approval will be required. People already living in the UK will need either indefinite leave to remain in their current passport or a certificate of approval granted by the Home Office.
• For people abroad then entry clearance or visa for the purpose of forming a civil partnership will be required.
• Please note that if you are both subject to immigration controls then you must each hold one of the above authorities to be able to give notice of your intention to form a civil partnership. You must both attend to give notice together at a designated register office if either party has Home Office authority to give notice. (Wandsworth is a designated office).
• IND began processing applications on 14th November 2005 and application forms are available on their website. www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
• You should ensure that application is made on the specific form for Civil Partnership, IND advise that applications on similar forms for Certificate of Approval for Marriage cannot be used for Civil Partnership.
• For further information and advice on these immigration matters please contact IND as above.

The formation of the civil partnership
After at least the 15 day waiting period the registration of the partnership can take place. This must be between 8 am and 6pm in the presence of two witnesses and a registration officer. The formation can take place in any local authority, not only where the notices of intention have been given, at  Register Offices and premises approved for civil partnership and marriage. The formation cannot take place in places of religious worship or buildings with a religious association.

Ceremonies
The legal process of forming a civil partnership does not include any requirement for a ceremony. However for those who wish to mark the occasion and share it with family and friends Wandsworth will be offering the choice to add a ceremony to the partnership registration. The ceremony will be personally built and special to you under our banner of 'your ceremony your choice.' Our staff will be able to guide you through the possibilities and offer our Victoria and Alexandra ceremony rooms and The Grand Chamber here at the lovely art-deco Wandsworth Town Hall for the occasion (take our online virtual tour). There is also a wide variety of venues across the Borough legally approved for partnership formations. You can of course arrange to continue your celebrations with a party at these venues, though we regret that such facilities are not available for the Register Office and Grand Chamber ceremonies at the Town Hall.

Fees
Fee to give notice of intention to form a partnership - £30 each party

Fee for a partnership formation at the Register Office - £40 + certificate fee
Fees will be payable for the attendance of officers at a venue licensed for civil partnership - £129 Monday to Friday and £199 for Weekends and Bank Holidays.

The fee includes an enhanced ceremony, if you choose to have one, with exchange of vows, ring vows and a choice of music at no extra cost. Our aim is to provide top quality service with value for money for your perfect day.

There will be charges payable to venue managers for use of rooms etc.

Advance booking
We understand that events and celebrations take some time to arrange so have opened a diary for provisional bookings for partnership formations. We will make a provisional booking anytime up to a year before the occasion, and in special circumstances to help your planning we would book you into the diary up to 18 months before the formation. The office also usually has some availability at quite short notice (though the minimum 15 waiting period must  be observed). After you have made your booking you must undertake the required legal preliminaries before the partnership can be formed.

Venues
Details of venues available for hire

Contact us
For more information, and to make provisional bookings contact us

Email: registeroffice@wandsworth.gov.uk
Tel 020 8871 6121
Fax 020 8871 8100

The Register Office
The Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London

You can also make an appointment online.

Find out more about Civil Partnerships at www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/civilpartnerships/
SW18 2PU