Civil partnerships
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 introduced a new legal relationship for same-sex couples wishing to make a formal, lifelong commitment to each other.
You can now give notice of your intention to form a civil partnership with Lambeth Register Office and look forward to celebrating the formation of your partnership in style.
We will be able to guide you through the legal requirements to ensure that your partnership is within the law. If you choose to have a ceremony we can help to make it special, whether you want to use the facilities at the Register Office or at one of Lambeth’s other approved venues.
The first ceremonies took place on 21 December 2005.
Making a booking
You must first contact the district or venue where you wish to form your civil partnership and make a provisional booking for your chosen date.
After this you should then give a notice of your intention to form a civil partnership in the district in which you live.
A notice is valid for one year, but it is advisable to make a booking as soon as you can, particularly if you intend to have a ceremony in one of our approved premises, although it is not necessary to have a ceremony if you don’t wish to do so.
Provisional booking
In Lambeth we have a provisional booking system which will allow you to book your civil partnership up to two years in advance of the date. This will allow you to make all the necessary arrangements including that of your reception in good time.
A provisional booking may be made either in writing, by personal attendance at the office or by telephone.
If you are booking more than one year in advance, you will need to give your legal notice to form a civil partnership at the appropriate time to confirm booking.
Legal preliminaries to forming a civil partnership
You may form a civil partnership at any Register Office or Approved Premises of your choice in England and Wales.
Legal notice to form a civil partnership
Both parties to the partnership are required to give their notice of intention to the Superintendent Registrar of the Registration Authority in which they have had their usual residence for the preceding seven days.
If both parties live in Lambeth, both should be present to give separate notices.
Once the notices have been entered in the civil partnership notice book, fifteen clear days must pass before the Superintendent Registrar's authority may be issued and the partnership registered.
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.
Make an appointment
You will need to make an appointment to give notice of your intention to form a civil partnership.
We offer appointments Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3.30pm. Please note that the Register Office is closed on the first Wednesday of every month until 1pm.
Please call us on 020 7926 9420 to make an appointment.
Fee
The statutory fee for giving notice is £30 per person which is payable on the day the notice is given.
Documents you need to show us
Please bring with you:
- evidence of nationality (a passport is ideal)
- proof of your address
- evidence of the termination of your previous marriage or civil partnership if applicable.
For more information on the documents you need see marriage - arrangement and ceremony.
Your civil partnership ceremony
A civil partnership is formed when the couple have signed before a partnership registrar and two witnesses. There is no requirement for a ceremony as part of the legal process, but at Lambeth we will be more than happy to offer a ceremony if required.
You may wish to exchange vows or enhance your ceremony with readings or music. The Superintendent Registrar will be happy to discuss what you want and will consider any requests you might have to make your day more memorable.
Approved premises
Lambeth is fortunate with its central location from the South Bank of the River Thames to have such a wide variety of premises for you to choose from, including the British Airways London Eye and The Brit Insurance Oval. See marriage - approved premises for full details.
More information
You can get more information on civil partnerships from the General Register Office, the Women and Equality Unit and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Who to contact
If you are interested or would simply like to find out more, please telephone the Superintendent Registrar on 020 7926 9429.