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Is There an Age Restriction for Civil Partnerships?
Yes, 16 is the minimum age and until 18 require written permission of the parents.
Are There Any Advantages to Civil Partnerships as Opposed to Just Living Together?
Certainly, a civil partnership bestows the same rights to same sex couples as it does to heterosexual couples so that inheritance of pension rights, next of kin rights at hospitals, inheritance and capital gains tax benefits, tenency rights.
Yes, 16 is the minimum age and until 18 require written permission of the parents.
Are There Any Advantages to Civil Partnerships as Opposed to Just Living Together?
Certainly, a civil partnership bestows the same rights to same sex couples as it does to heterosexual couples so that inheritance of pension rights, next of kin rights at hospitals, inheritance and capital gains tax benefits, tenency rights.
Is it Possible to Have an Official Ceremony ?
Although the Civil Partnership Act only requires registrars to perform the basic legal formalities, more and more are allowing some forms of commitment ceremonies to take place at the same time. These are sometimes carried out by the registrar or the registrar may allow an independent Celebrant to perform the ceremony. You will need to check with the registrar and venue prior to booking.
Where Can I Get 'Married' ?
The same places as opposite sex couples, which means either a register office or a licensed venue such as a hotel, stately home or even a tourist attraction like the London Eye. There are quite a number of super places to tie the knot in so you can really indulge yourself.
How Do I Become 'Married'?
Straight couples become officially married when they say the words 'I do' and they have to be together to sign the register in front of witnesses. Gay couples become 'married' when they sign the register but they do not have to sign at the same time nor do they even have to be in the same room nor town but when they must sign it must be in front of two witnesses.
Does That Mean We Cannot Say Our Vows?
The registrar should give you the option to say a few words or even read a poem before you sign but you cannot include any type of religious content. You should contact the registrar to agree before hand.
How Do We Arrange For Our Civil Partnership ?
First, you each need to visit the registry office in person 15 days before the ceremony is due to take place to give formal notice of your intention to register as civil partners which allows them to check that you are eligible. You will need to take some documentation such as a passport plus other documents to prove your address, such as bank statement or utility bill. If you have had a civil partnership before you will have to show either a final order of dissolution of a civil partnership or death certificate of your former civil partner. Once you have registered, it is valid for 12 months.
You have to have been resident in the area for 7 days. If you are registering in an area that is not the same as the office where the ceremony is being held, you must inform the registrar of that office where you are getting 'married'.
To check for the latest requirements visit the official government web site at http://www.gro.gov.uk
Are There Any Other Things Available at the Registry Offices.
As the hetties want more so there are more bells and whistles becoming available. Some offices are allowing music and others will provide a video or DVD of the service so it is worth checking what is available at your registry office.
Will I need To Change My Name ?
No it is not a requirement of the civil partnerships. Some people may decide to take their partners name or they may both wish to combine their names with a double barrel name. However, because there is such a laborious effort in having all your legal documents, bank and credit cards, utility and telephone companies notified and many other documents changed and people notified, it is not something that is carried out lightly.
Can We Get a Civil Partnership Abroad ?
This will entirely depend on the country, some, like Spain, already have civil partnership laws but even so there may be other things like being resident in the country for a minimum period before you can register. There is a document called a certificate of no impediment which is available from your local council which shows that you are 'officially' free to 'marry'. You may have to have documents translated, so always allow plenty of time and always contact the embassy of the country concerned to find out exactly what is required before you go.
When you return it is possible to have the original of your civil partnership certificate sent to the General Register Office but be advised that only British citizens may do this and there is a charge. The GRO only accepts documents from certain countries which, at the time of writing are :-
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Netherlands
Norway
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United States of America
However as the legislation changes abroad this list will change so for an up to date list and more information visit:
Although the Civil Partnership Act only requires registrars to perform the basic legal formalities, more and more are allowing some forms of commitment ceremonies to take place at the same time. These are sometimes carried out by the registrar or the registrar may allow an independent Celebrant to perform the ceremony. You will need to check with the registrar and venue prior to booking.
Where Can I Get 'Married' ?
The same places as opposite sex couples, which means either a register office or a licensed venue such as a hotel, stately home or even a tourist attraction like the London Eye. There are quite a number of super places to tie the knot in so you can really indulge yourself.
How Do I Become 'Married'?
Straight couples become officially married when they say the words 'I do' and they have to be together to sign the register in front of witnesses. Gay couples become 'married' when they sign the register but they do not have to sign at the same time nor do they even have to be in the same room nor town but when they must sign it must be in front of two witnesses.
Does That Mean We Cannot Say Our Vows?
The registrar should give you the option to say a few words or even read a poem before you sign but you cannot include any type of religious content. You should contact the registrar to agree before hand.
How Do We Arrange For Our Civil Partnership ?
First, you each need to visit the registry office in person 15 days before the ceremony is due to take place to give formal notice of your intention to register as civil partners which allows them to check that you are eligible. You will need to take some documentation such as a passport plus other documents to prove your address, such as bank statement or utility bill. If you have had a civil partnership before you will have to show either a final order of dissolution of a civil partnership or death certificate of your former civil partner. Once you have registered, it is valid for 12 months.
You have to have been resident in the area for 7 days. If you are registering in an area that is not the same as the office where the ceremony is being held, you must inform the registrar of that office where you are getting 'married'.
To check for the latest requirements visit the official government web site at http://www.gro.gov.uk
Are There Any Other Things Available at the Registry Offices.
As the hetties want more so there are more bells and whistles becoming available. Some offices are allowing music and others will provide a video or DVD of the service so it is worth checking what is available at your registry office.
Will I need To Change My Name ?
No it is not a requirement of the civil partnerships. Some people may decide to take their partners name or they may both wish to combine their names with a double barrel name. However, because there is such a laborious effort in having all your legal documents, bank and credit cards, utility and telephone companies notified and many other documents changed and people notified, it is not something that is carried out lightly.
Can We Get a Civil Partnership Abroad ?
This will entirely depend on the country, some, like Spain, already have civil partnership laws but even so there may be other things like being resident in the country for a minimum period before you can register. There is a document called a certificate of no impediment which is available from your local council which shows that you are 'officially' free to 'marry'. You may have to have documents translated, so always allow plenty of time and always contact the embassy of the country concerned to find out exactly what is required before you go.
When you return it is possible to have the original of your civil partnership certificate sent to the General Register Office but be advised that only British citizens may do this and there is a charge. The GRO only accepts documents from certain countries which, at the time of writing are :-
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Netherlands
Norway
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United States of America
However as the legislation changes abroad this list will change so for an up to date list and more information visit:
Click here
What About Eloping?
A very glamorous and exciting way to be 'wed' but even more difficult for civil partnerships. At the time of writing only the state of Vermont in the USA has laws lax enough for non-residents to roll up and get a civil partnership on demand which is a bit further to go than a swift coach ride to Gretna Green.
What About Eloping?
A very glamorous and exciting way to be 'wed' but even more difficult for civil partnerships. At the time of writing only the state of Vermont in the USA has laws lax enough for non-residents to roll up and get a civil partnership on demand which is a bit further to go than a swift coach ride to Gretna Green.
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