Civil partnership ceremonies

A civil partnership is a secular (non-religious) ceremony that is conducted and registered by a registrar. No religious content is permitted in the ceremony, but secular readings, music and other personal touches can be added to make sure that the ceremony is unique to you.

You are not required to have a ceremony and can have a simple registration. During a 'signing only', you can sign the legal schedule in the presence of witnesses and the registrar and are not required to say any words or vows.

Conversion of a civil partnership to a marriage

For further information please go to the civil partnership conversion page.

Where can I form my civil partnership?

You are able to form your civil partnership in buildings that have been officially registered.

• the Copper Suite in the Clockwork Building
• the Register Office in the Clockwork Building
• Fulham Library
• approved venues – view a list of approved venues in Hammersmith and Fulham
• places of religious worship which have been authorised for civil partnership.

Booking a venue

It is often the case that civil partnerships get planned up to two years in advance and so it is important that before you plan or book any suppliers that you check the availability of the registrars.

A ceremony can be provisionally booked and a non-refundable deposit of £150 is required. The deposit will be deducted from the final balance which is owed. In order for you to form a civil partnership a notice of civil partnership will need to be given and can be given up to a year in advance.

The notice waiting period is either 28 days or 70 days and so it is important that notice is given as soon as possible after a provisional booking is made. This will ensure that your provisional booking becomes a confirmed. If you are booking a ceremony more than a year in advance then please give your notice of civil partnership early on within the 12 months before your ceremony date.

If you choose an approved venue you will also need to make a booking at the venue.

Book a civil partnership ceremony

Fees

Certificates cost £11 each plus £2 postage. This is in addition to the ceremony fee.

Civil partnership certificates will be produced after the schedule and document has been entered and registered onto the electronic system. Therefore, you will no longer receive a civil partnership certificate on the day of your ceremony.

Please note, certificates will be produced up to 5 working days after your ceremony and then posted to your home address shown on the ceremony document.

Venue and civil partnership fees