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Same sex couples wishing to formalise their relationship
may do so by registering as a civil partnership. Couples may
enhance the registration with a Kentish Simply Perfect
civil partnership ceremony.
In Kent a civil partnership can only be registered by a Civil
Partnership Registrar appointed by the county council.
Registrations may only take place in the register office, county
council registration offices or approved premises licensed by the
county council. There is no legal religious alternative.
The registration of your civil partnership is special to you -
and we have provided a range of choices for you - whether you
choose registration or a registration and ceremony.
- Registration - this may take place either at a
Kent County Council owned ceremony venue (registration office)
or a ceremony venues especially licensed by Kent County
Council (hotel, castle, country house, civil building
etc.)(link opens in a new window). The registration has a simple
format and should take no longer than 15 minutes. Please note, a
registration does not include any personal ceremony choices.
- Registration and Simply Perfect Ceremony - two
Simply Perfect packs are available covering ceremonies at
Kent County Council owned ceremony venues and ceremonies at one of
the many ceremony venues specially licensed by Kent County Council.
Both packs provide a framework for the personalising of the
ceremony to include special vows, poetry, music, prose or personal
messages of celebration and the involvement of family and
friends.
The civil partnership ceremony can be traditional or a less
formal occasion, alternatively you may wish to consider a 'theme
partnership ceremony'.
To enter into a civil partnership couples must be:
- of the same sex
- not already in a civil partnership or lawful marriage
- not closely related to one another
- aged 18 or over (or provide evidence of consent if aged 16 or
17)
- not subject to immigration control
If this procedure appears daunting in any way - do not despair -
our ceremony teams are there to help and provide assistance for
your special day. They may be contacted by phone on 08458 247 400
or by email
civil.partnerships@kent.gov.uk
Further information on civil partnerships can be found from the
Government
Equalities Office (link opens in a new
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