Doncaster Council

The Civil Partnership Act 2004

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into effect on 5th December 2005, allowing couples of the same gender to enter into a civil partnership agreement, giving them similar rights and obligations as those which exist for a married couple.

As of the 5th December 2005 you can now make arrangements for a Partnership Ceremony, which may be held from 16 days to 12 months after the date the arrangements are made.

Both parties must give a formal notice of partnership to the Superintendent Registrar of the district in which they reside, but the ceremony may be held at any Register Office, or Approved Premises currently licenced for marriages, within England or Wales.

It is now possible to give notice for a Partnership Ceremony in Doncaster district. Telephone (01302) 364922 or email registrars@doncaster.gov.uk for more information.

Who can register?

Two people who are:

• of the same sex
• 16 or over (with consent if under 18)
• not already married or in a civil partnership
• not closely related (eg. parent, sister, niece, uncle)       

can register a civil partnership.

Getting registered

A civil partnership is formed when each party signs the civil partnership schedule in front of the registrar and two witnesses. Doncaster Register Office offers a ceremony around these formalities, within the office or at Approved Premises, though this is optional. No religious service can take place while the registrar is officiating at the formation of a civil partnership.