CouncilCivil partnerships
- What is civil partnership?
- Who can register?
- When does it come into effect?
- What do both partners need to do?
- What if one partner is not an UK or EU Citizen?
- Where can the partnership be registered?
- What form will the registration take?
- What if I am already part of a partnership which took place overseas?
- How will this effect my state or LGPS pension?
- Will my tax be affected?
- Will my civil partnership relationship affect my tax credit?
- How do I change my name on my employment records?
- Can be my civil partner be my next of kin?
- Arranging a civil partnership ceremony in Tower Hamlets
- More information about civil partnerships
What is civil partnership?
Civil partnership allows same-sex couples across the UK to have their partnership legally recognised. Any couple that registers a civil partnership will have the same rights as a married couple in areas like tax, social security, inheritance and workplace benefits
Who can register?
You can register if you are:
- Two people who are of the same sex aged 16 or over (with consent if under 18)
- Not already married or in a civil partnership
- Meet relationship criteria
When does it come into effect?
The provisions of the Civil Partnership Act was implemented on December 5 2005 and from this date those wishing to enter into a same-sex civil partnership will be able to give notice of their intention to do so. This will allow the first civil partnerships to be formed from December 21, 2005
What do both partners need to do?
Both partners will need to give legal notice of their intended partnership to the local authority in which they have been resident for the seven days prior to giving the notice. Then after 15 days you can register your civil partnership by signing a civil partnership schedule in front of the registrar and two witnesses
Both partners will need to produce passports as evidence of identity and nationality and some proof of residence in the form of utility bills, council tax bill, bank statement or any other form of official documentation. If either party has been through a marriage or other partnership previously they would also have to produce evidence of how this ended. You will also have to pay fees to give notice and to register
What if one partner is not an UK or EU Citizen?
If one or both of the partners are subject to immigration control it will be necessary for both partners to attend together a designated register office to give the required notice. Further information can be obtained from your local register office
Where can the partnership be registered?
The partnership can be formed in any local authority register office, irrespective of the residence of the couple or at approved premises that have previously been approved for marriages
What form will the registration take?
There will be no requirement for couples to say particular contractual words as part of the registration process, nor will there be any legal necessity for any form of ceremony. The minimum requirement will be the couple attending before an authorised civil partnership officer and signing the registration in the presence of two witnesses
What if I am already part of a partnership which took place overseas?
If you are already legally registered as a couple abroad you may not need to register again to be legally recognised as civil partners in the UK. Please contact the register office for advice
How will this effect my state or local government pension?
From December 2005 civil partners will have most of the same state pension rights as husbands and you will be treated the same as husbands and wives after 2010, when the treatment of men and women is to be equalised. For further information you should contact The Pension Service (part of the Department for Work and Pensions) on 0845 6060265.
Civil partnerships are now recognised by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LPGS) regulations for civil partner’s benefits and/or divorce/dissolution case settlements for service from 5 April 1988 (or the day the member joined the scheme if later). If you have a local government pension and register a civil partnership after 5 December 2005, please contact us to enable us to note our records accordingly. For more information about this please contact:
Payroll & Pensions Services
Tower Hamlets Town Hall
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG
tel: 020 7364 4529/ 4531/ 4533/ 4534
fax: 020 7364 4593
email: pensions@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Will my tax be affected?
Civil partners will be treated in the same way as a married couple for all tax purposes. Contact your tax office for more information
Will my civil partnership relationship affect my tax credit?
The income of a civil partner or a cohabiting same-sex partner will be taken into account when calculating entitlement to income related benefits (e.g. income support) and tax credits. This means you will be treated the same as a married or a cohabiting couple
How do I change my name on my employment records?
As with marriage, there is no legal requirement to change your surname. This can be done by informing the appropriate departments of the name(s) you wish to be known by. (You may be required to provide a copy of your extract for their records)
Can my civil partner be my next of kin?
Yes
Arranging a civil partnership ceremony in Tower Hamlets
Venues in the borough approved for civil partnership ceremonies
