How to arrange a civil partnership

How do we arrange a Civil Partnership?

If you would like to arrange a civil partnership you need to make an appointment with us to give notice. Contact Manchester Registration Service.

How much notice do we need to give?

By law, in order to form a civil partnership, you must give notice. You cannot give notice more than twelve months before the date of formation. The minimum notice required is fifteen clear days, after which the partnership can be formed.

Where can we give notice?

Notice must be given in the district where you live. If you live in Manchester you must give a notice to the Manchester Register Office. If either or both of you are from another district then you must each give the notice at your local Register Office. (unless otherwise advise, for example, if either of you is a non-EEA National - see below)

Non-European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals

If either you or your partner are subject to immigration control, you must both give notice, together, at a Designated Register Office. Manchester Register Office has been given the status of Designated Register Office by the Home Office.

A full list of Designated Register Offices in England and Wales can be found on the DirectGov website.

From 9th May 2011 you will no longer be required to provide a Certificate of Approval (COA) when you give notice.

What do we need to produce?

You will need to make an appointment by phone or by calling into the office.

At your appointment you will need to bring:

• The current fee of £33.50 per person

• Proof of nationality

British Citizens

If born in the UK prior to 1st January 1983 - Passport or Birth Certificate.

If born in the UK on or after 1st January 1983 - British Passport or a naturalisation/registration certificate from the Home Office.  If this cannot be produced a full birth certificate together with evidence of the nationality of one of the parents. If married at the time of the birth either parents birth certificate.  If unmarried, mothers birth certificate.  If adopted an adoption certificate together with the birth certificate of the relevant adopted parent.

Non British Citizens

Valid Passport or Home Office travel document.

A National Identity Card or driving licence issued by the authorities in their country of origin which has a photo of the holder.  Please note: A National Identity Card or driving licence can only be accepted if it states nationality.

If you do not have any of this evidence, please contact the Register Office for advice.

• If you have previously been married or in a Civil Partnership in this or any other country and it ended in divorce, dissolution or annulment you will be required to produce the original court document.  If in this country you will require the decree absolute, dissolution certificate or annulment all of which can be obtained from the court where the divorce, dissolution or annulment was granted.  If your divorce, dissolution or annulment was in a different country you will need to produce the original document from the court and full translation if applicable.

• If you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner you will need to provide the death certificate of your former husband, wife or civil partner.  If you are not mentioned on the death certificate as the widow, widower or surviving civil partner you will also need to produce your marriage or civil partnership certificate.

• If you have changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration you will need to provide those documents.

• Proof of current address, this can be a utility bill, bank statement or driving licence. 

Please note: All documentation must be original.  We cannot accept photocopied documentation.