The Civil Partnerships Act came into effect on 5 December 2005, and in the first nine months over 15,000 couples entered into civil partnerships in the United Kingdom.

The Civil Partnership Registration Scheme is for adult same-sex couples who are not in an existing registered partnership or marriage and are not closely related. Couples who register have legal status as ‘registered civil partners’ and acquire a package of rights and responsibilities in the same way as married couples.

Couples give notice of their intention to register at a registry office and can then sign the civil partnership register 15 days later. The only necessary procedure on the day is that both partners sign the register with two witnesses. Registrars are happy to discuss more elaborate ceremonies when couples go to register their intent.

Dissolution of Partnership: The government intends registered civil partnerships to be long-term, stable relationships so there is a formal, court-based process for dissolution. The partner applying for the partnership to be dissolved will have to show that there has been an irretrievable break down in the relationship.

For detailed information information on Civil Partnerships, please visit Stonewall's dedicated website page