Civil Partnership
Available to same and opposite sex couples, your civil partnership ceremony can take place across any of our renowned venues. This allows for all couples to obtain legal recognition for their relationship and be treated equally in a wide range of legal matters to those couples who enter into a marriage. It is our pleasure to adapt the ceremony to your requirements, be it simply signing the schedule in front of your witnesses, delivering a ceremony script and incorporating additional elements such as readings, promises and music.
Available to both same and opposite sex couples, in order to form a civil partnership you must:
- be aged 18 years or over
- not already married or in a civil partnership
- not closely related to your intended spouse
- give ‘notice’ at least 30 days before the ceremony date.
In Telford and Wrekin, we offer the following Civil partnership ceremony types:
- a statutory legal ceremony held in the Superintendent Registrar's Office for the couple and 2 witnesses only
- a legal ceremony held in The Atrium for up to 10 guests only, available Monday to Saturday at 10am, and Thursday and Friday evenings at 5pm and 6pm
- a standard legal ceremony held in the Wrekin Suite for up to 60 guests only, with a selection of set music choices
- a legal ceremony held at an approved, licensed venue of your choosing, within Telford and Wrekin, available all week
Please note: that all personal ceremony choices (where applicable) will be subject to checks by the Registrar team to ensure they are appropriate for the ceremony and that there is no religious content.
A civil partnership is formed by the signing of the schedule meaning no works have to be spoken - however with all our civil partnership ceremony options the Registrar can incorporate a ceremonial script if you would like.
What is the difference between a marriage and a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is a legal relationship entered into by a couple which is registered and provides them similar legal rights to married couples. Marriage is formed by the speaking of vows whilst a civil partnership is formed by the signing of the civil partnership schedule. Marriage is ended through divorce whilst a civil partnership is dissolved. A civil partnership provides similar rights and obligations to that of marriage, such as property rights, pension benefits, inheritance and tax entitlements, the ability to obtain parental responsibility for a partner’s child and the same rights of next of kin in hospitals. Visit the GOV.UK website.
For more information about civil partnership ceremonies please email [email protected].