Civil Partnerships

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force in the UK on 5 December 2005. For the first time same-sex couples are able to have their relationships recognised by law and are able to acquire almost all the same rights as married couples. After the statutory notice period of 15 days, the first couples got hitched on 21 December.

Of course Civil Partnership is not for everyone – there are responsibilities as well as rights that come with it. But for many people it grants long-overdue rights and for others a chance to celebrate their relationship with friends and families.

Before deciding if Civil Partnership is for you, make sure you have considered all the legal and financial implications. Our section on the Civil Partnership Act has a summary of the main points and links to further advice. You may also find our Q&A section helpful.