So, civil partnership, is this marriage or not?
To all intents and purposes, yes. With civil partnerships you get every right and every privilege (and every responsibility) straight couples get when they marry. It’s the same thing. You can even ask your relations for gifts.
What sort of rights do you mean?
Apart from the right to a new toaster and a great party? You get next-of-kin rights, you get rights in relation to your partner’s children, you get tax rights, including the same inheritance rights as straight married couples. And you get pension rights, so you may be able to
claim your civil partner’s pension should they die...
Is that what we become, civil partners?
Yeah, but no one can stop you calling each other what you like – husband, wife, husbear, her indoors – though not on official documents. If you want to take your partner’s name on your driver’s licence say, or your passport, proof of identity and your civil
partnership certificate will be enough to sort that out.
So, there’s no inheritance tax between partners anymore?
No, because you are now civil partners and recognised like a straight married couple. You have the right to register a death, the right to bereavement benefits, the right to claim compensation in case of a fatal accident, the right to stay living in your shared rented home...
But we don’t have to live together to be civil partners?
No. It’s the same for married straight couples. Domestic arrangements and who lives where are nobody else’s
business. And your bosses do have to treat you and your civil partner the same way they treat a married straight couple in terms of perks and benefits.
You said there were also responsibilities...
Well, it’s legally binding so it’s not something to do for a laugh or a quick romantic gesture. You’ll have to live with the consequences, including maybe providing maintenance to your civil partner and any children. And if you’re receiving benefits, you will be dealt with the same as any other married couple. But then that’s true of all couples – straight or gay – just living together without the piece of paper.
So, presumably, we’d have to get a divorce if it all went wrong?
It’s called a ‘dissolution’ but yes, you would. And we can tie the knot in church? You can have a blessing in a church with your favourite
gay-friendly vicar (or equivalent gay-friendly religious leader), the same as straight couples who marry in a register office, but there can be no religious service during the registration itself, just as with straight couples in a civil wedding. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get
married somewhere beautiful. You can do the deed anywhere that has a licence for civil services – stately homes, hotels, selected beaches and mountain tops.
What happens when we’re being registered?
It’s your day. You can have what you want, so don’t let any officials bully you into something you’re not up for – or out of something you are! You can write your own vows, exchange rings, have whatever readings you like, kiss to seal the deal, whatever – just discuss it all
with your registrar. The only thing you absolutely have to do is provide your signatures and two witnesses.
And does this count with the Immigration Office?
Yes, you’ll now be in exactly the same boat as straight couples who get married. There may be restrictions about entering the country to register but no more than there would be for a straight partner.
So, how do we get started?
You need to go to the registration service–in person – to give formal notice of your intention to register your partnership, just as a straight couple would. And remember, you don’t have to tie the knot locally – you can go anywhere you like in the UK as long as it has a licence. Once you’ve given notice, you have 15 days to wait, plan, choose outfits, invite friends and make a fool of yourself on a stag or hen night.
For everything you need to know about civil partnerships go to Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate
can help with issues concerning civil partnership with a partner from abroad. 0870 606 7766 www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group offers support on anything to do with immigration. 020 7620 6010 www.uklgig.org.uk
Pension Service If you need advice on the new pension rights go to www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Adoption For more information about adopting your partner’s children go to www.dfes.gov.uk/adoption
Jobcentre Plus can give you information on benefits. Go to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Inland Revenue For any queries about tax laws go to www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
General Register Office has a list of licensed venues and can answer any questions you have concerning costs, civil partnership with someone who can’t turn up to a venue in person for whatever reason and a whole raft of other issues. Go to www.gro.gov.uk
General Register Office for Scotland www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
Thanks
Alan