Civil partnerships

You must make an appointment to give notice of your Civil Partnership.

Book an appointment to give notice of your civil partnership

Details of how to change or cancel your appointment will be included in your confirmation email once you have booked an appointment.

Alternatively telephone 0161 793 2500 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday to book an appointment.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 enables couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. Couples who form a civil partnership have a legal status, that of 'civil partner'.

The government has extended civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples, and the first notice can be given from 2 December 2019 and the first ceremony can be held on 31 December 2019, availability permitting.

Civil partners have equal treatment to married couples in a wide range of legal matters, 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

Before you can enter into a civil partnership there are a number of legal requirements that must be satisfied.

By law each partner is required to give a legal notice which is a formal declaration of their intention to enter into a civil partnership. This must be done in person - a friend or relative or other agent is unable to do this on your behalf.

Giving notice of civil partnership

Both partners must give notice of civil partnership to the Register Office in the district where you live. You must have lived in the district at least seven days before giving notice. There is a standard fee payable.

You may choose to have your civil partnership at any register office within England and Wales, or at an venue that has been approved by the local authority for holding ceremonies. If you were to change the venue to somewhere other than as stated in your notice, it will be necessary to give and pay for fresh notices.

There are documents you are required to show at the time of giving notice.

How much notice is required

You cannot give a Notice of Civil Partnership more than one year before the planned date of the ceremony/formation. Your civil partnership cannot be registered until 28 days after you have given the notice.

Provisional bookings

If you wish to make a provisional booking to hold your ceremony and registration with Salford please telephone 0161 793 2500 or email us on marriages@salford.gov.uk to make a provisional booking. This will enable you to secure a day and time and plan for your special day in advance.

Fees

  • Notice of Civil Partnership - £42 per partner
  • Formation/Ceremony at the Register Office (maximum four people) - £56
  • Formation/Ceremony in The Ceremony Room (up to 60 guests) £150 from Monday to Thursday, £170 on Friday, £220 on Saturday
  • In addition to the ceremony fees, there is a further £12.50 for each certificate required

This page was last updated on 17 June 2024

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