A civil partnership is a legally binding contract between two people of the same sex. It enables single sex couples to enjoy the same rights and responsibilities given to married couples.
Registration
To register a civil partnership you must first give notice in the district in which you live. For South Gloucestershire residents this can be done at the register office. Please telephone us to make an appointment. Both partners must also be British nationals or be a national of a member of the European Economic area. For all other nationals, subject to immigration status, notices of civil partnership must be given at a designated register office. The nearest designated register office is Bristol Register Office at The Old Council House, Corn Street, Bristol BS1 1JG. Telephone 0117 903 8888 for further details.
Both partners will need to attend any appointment providing documentary evidence of full name, age, address, nationality and marital condition. Acceptable documents include full birth certificates, passports, a recent utility bill (not including mobile phone bills) or bank statement and any decree absolute or death certificate to show a former civil partnership or marriage has ended.
There is a fee of £30 for each notice payable in cash or by cheque with a valid cheque card. If you plan to register your partnership in a different area, you should also contact the authority in which the registration will take place.
After giving notice, you must wait fifteen clear days (not including the day notice is given nor the date the schedule is issued) before the civil partnership can be registered. During this time details from the notice (but not your address) will be displayed at the register office. Your notice is valid for 12 months.