Civil partnership

Civil partnership is a new legal relationship, which can be registered by two people of the same sex. It gives same-sex couples the ability to obtain legal recognition for their relationship.

Civil partnership came into force on 5 December 2005. The first civil partnerships registered in England and Wales under the standard procedure took place on 21 December.

Civil partners will have equal treatment in a wide range of legal matters with married couples, including:

• tax, including inheritance tax
• employment benefits
• most state and occupational pension benefits
• income related benefits, tax credits and child support
• duty to provide reasonable maintenance for your civil partner and any children of the family
• ability to apply for parental responsibility for your civil partner’s child
• inheritance of a tenancy agreement
• recognition under intestacy rules
• access to fatal accidents compensation
• protection from domestic violence
• recognition for immigration and nationality purposes

Who can register?

Two people may register a civil partnership provided:

• they are of the same sex
• they are not already in a civil partnership or lawfully married
• they are not within prohibited degrees of relationship (eg closely related)
• they are both aged 16 or over (and, if either of them is under 18 the consent of the appropriate person has been obtained)