Your Questions Answered

I don’t live in Kent but can I have my Partnership here? 

As long as you have lived for seven days in England or Wales and are not subject to immigration control you can have your partnership at one of the many Approved venues available or you may wish to choose one of our Kent Register Offices.

However, if you are having your partnership in Kent but do not live in the area, you will need to give your Legal Preliminaries (Notice of Partnership) see below, in the area where you live.

I don't live in England or Wales can I have my Partnership here?

Possibly but in order to be eligible you will need to complete a full seven day residency within England or Wales. You will need to provide proof of this residency (i.e. hotel invoice, flight tickets etc).  On the eighth day of your residency you may give your Legal Preliminaries (Notice of Partnership) see below, to the local Register Office where you have been residing.

Please contact us on 08458 247400 for further advice.

If either or both parties are subject to immigration control you will need to follow the guidelines for Foreign Nationals, please contact us on 08458 247400 for advice.

How far in advance can I make a booking for a civil ceremony?

As far in advance as the venue allows.  Although your legal preliminaries cannot be given until one year before the ceremony.

What time of day can a civil partnership be registered?

Civil partnerships can only be registered between 8am and 6pm (as is the case for marriage). However, where one of the couple is seriously ill and not expected to recover, then the civil partnership may be registered at any time. Please contact your local Register Office for further advice.

What are “legal preliminaries of partnership” (notice of partnership)?

Each party to a civil partnership must attend at their local register office and give formal notice that they intend to enter into a civil partnership.  This notice is put on public display for 15 days during which time anyone can object to the proposed partnership. The notice will be available in a register office for public inspection (as for marriage) but the details will not include the address of you or your partner.
On the 16th day, and providing no valid objections have been received, the registrar will issue a schedule for the partnership to take place.

Who can I have as witnesses?

You are required to provide two witnesses to sign the partnership schedule.  They can be family or friends, or anyone of your choice, and preferably over 18 years of age. If you use an interpreter during the ceremony, that person must sign the schedule as one of your witnesses.

Will I have to change my name?

After registering a civil partnership, some people might want to change their surname to that of their partner’s, or a couple may choose to hyphenate their names. Government departments and agencies such as the Passport Agency and the DVLA will accept civil partnership certificates in the same way that they accept marriage certificates as evidence for changing names. On the day of the partnership both parties must sign their usual signature regardless of any name change they wish to make in the future.

Can people take photographs during the ceremony?

If you wish, photos and videos can be taken at any point before, during and after the ceremony provided that they do not interrupt the ceremony.  Please advise your photographer/videographer to speak to the celebrant on the day to agree where they should stand.

On the day of the ceremony

To make sure everything goes ahead on time and without any hitches, you and your guests will need to arrive at least 15 minutes before your ceremony is due to start.  Some venues may require you to arrive earlier than this.  Please remember to allow time for any traffic delays, parking limitations and pre-ceremony photos to be taken.

The registrar will need to interview both parties prior to the ceremony to check the details that are entered in the schedule.  You can be seen individually or together and if you’re getting ready at the venue this can be done in your room.

Can I welcome my guests with a drink prior to the ceremony?

Food and drink is not permitted in the ceremony room/area or the restricted area around the ceremony room/area, 1 hour prior to or during the ceremony.  You will need to wait until after the ceremony for a celebratory drink.

Will the UK recognise partnership schemes for same-sex couples that exist across Europe and beyond?

Some same-sex overseas relationships will automatically be treated as civil partnerships in the UK. If you are already registered or married abroad you may not need to register again to be legally recognised as civil partners in the UK. Full details of overseas schemes, which may be recognised in the UK, can be found at the Government's Women and Equality Unit web site : www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/civilpartnership.htm

Financial Implications

There are some important financial implications to registering as civil partners involving Pensions, Tax, Social Security Benefits and Tax Credits. Further information can be found at www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/civilpartnership.htm