What happens at your civil partnership ceremony

Find out what happens at a civil partnership ceremony including script options for readings.

Civil partnerships are slightly different in that there is no formal ceremony as part of your formation.

The law just requires you to sign a civil partnership schedule (legal contract). If however, you wish to have a ceremony, we can arrange and talk this through with you.

As with marriage ceremonies you will need to bring two people with you to be witnesses to your civil partnership who must be able to understand and speak English. You can choose any relative or friend as long as they are old enough to understand what is taking place.

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the formation is due to commence as we will need to check the details taken at the time of the notice of civil partnership which appear on the civil partnership schedule, with each party separately.

Should you wish to have a celebration of your civil partnership, we can offer a ceremony to celebrate your union as civil partners. Our pages can help you make your ceremony a day to remember.

There will be an opportunity for photographs.

Following the signing of the Civil Partnership Schedule you will be known as 'civil partners'.

Civil partnership script

Welcome and introduction by the Registrar which includes the following:

Pledge

The partnership will affirm the love, respect and true friendship that they already have for each other and confirm their deep and lasting relationship.

Our couples can choose from the following to celebrate their Civil Partnership: