Civil Partnerships GUIDANCE ON NI CIVIL PARTNERSHIP PRELIMINARIES The Civil Partnership Act (Northern Ireland) 2004 became effective from 5 December 2005. NOTICE OF CIVIL PARTNERSHIP Notice for all Civil Partnerships has to be given on the prescribed Civil Partnership Notice Forms. Each of the two parties must complete and sign a form and submit them to the Registrar of the District where the Civil Partnership Schedule is to be signed along with the relevant documents (see below) and the notice fee of £30.00. Notice of intention may be given up to a year before the date of the Civil Partnership. However, it is recommended that notice of intention should be given approximately 8 to 10 weeks before the date of signing the Civil Partnership Schedule – the minimum notice period being in 14 clear days before this date. DOCUMENTS TO BE PRODUCED NB All documents must be originals ie not photocopies and if not in English – bring a Certified Translation. They must be produced as early as possible before the signing of the Civil Partnership Schedule. Failure to do so will mean postponement. Consent If 16 or 17 years – Consent Forms are available from Registrar Identity A full version birth certificate Marital Status If widowed – a death certificate of previous spouse to be shown If divorced - a Decree Absolute and woman using maiden name – her Marriage Certificate (If a civil partnership has previously been entered into – evidence of the dissolution of the previous civil partnership) Nationality Not subject to Immigration Control Passport or National Identity Card Nationality If subject to Immigration Control EITHER Passport with appropriate visa permitting marriage OR Passport plus a Certificate of Approval for Marriage NB Notice of Marriage cannot be taken without these For Advice and Guidance, contact Help Line, at 0870 606 7766 or online at www.ukvisas.gov.uk

WHO CAN ENTER INTO A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP

• Any two persons, regardless of where they live, may enter into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland provided that:-
• both Persons are at least 16 years of age on the day of the civil partnership registration. Persons over 16 years of age and under 18 years of age require parental consent;
• they are not related to one another in a way, which would prevent their civil partnership registration;
• they are unmarried or are not already in a civil partnership (any person who has already been married or in a civil partnership must produce documentary evidence that the previous marriage has been ended by death, divorce or annulment, or the previous civil partnership has been dissolved);
• they are the same sex;
• they are capable of understanding the nature of the civil partnership.

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL PARTNERSHIP

• You should arrange for two persons, aged 16 years or over, to be present at your civil partnership registration to act as witnesses.
• You should be sure to let the Registrar know if you change your plans or decide to postpone your civil partnership registration.