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Civil partnerships

If you and your partner would like to formalise and celebrate your relationship you can register a civil partnership. We can also help you arrange an optional civil partnership ceremony to celebrate the day.

Before you contact us

Due to the unprecedented demand we are experiencing as lockdown restrictions ease, our telephone lines are extremely busy. We are receiving a very high number of calls and emails, so please bear with us and we will reply as soon as we are able to.

Existing bookings

We are prioritising existing bookings with ceremonies taking place in the near future. If you are unable to get through via telephone to pay your fee, please be assured that your booking will not be cancelled and we will contact you.

If you do email us about an existing booking, to help us prioritise our enquiries please include in the subject header:

  • your ceremony date
  • your ceremony location.

Give notice of your civil partnership

Before you can register your civil partnership, it is a legal requirement that you give notice of your civil partnership at your local register office.

Contact your local register office to book an appointment to give notice.

Getting married abroad

If you’re a British national having a civil partnership ceremony abroad, you might need certain documents from the UK government, for example a certificate of no impediment (CNI).

For more information visit the government website or contact our Ceremony Team for more information below.

Register a civil partnership

In Kent and Bexley, a civil partnership can only be registered by a civil partnership registrar appointed by us.

You have the option to register your civil partnership at one of our register offices or licensed venues across Kent.

Both partners will sign the registration document in the presence of 2 witnesses and the registrar.

Contact your local ceremonies team to arrange a registration.

Civil partnership ceremony

We can help you create a special ceremony to celebrate your civil partnership.

Visit A Kentish Ceremony website for information about civil partnership ceremonies, booking a venue and suppliers.

Fees

Fees are payable for:

  • notice of partnership
  • attendance of registration staff at the ceremony (including a non-refundable booking confirmation fee to guarantee your chosen date and time)
  • a rehearsal or pre-partnership meeting (optional)
  • civil partnership certificate(s)
  • certificate of no impediment.

View the fees and terms and conditions for civil partnership registrations and ceremonies.

Convert your civil partnership into a marriage

You can also convert your existing civil partnership into a marriage.