Civil partnerships are available to everyone
Civil partnerships are open to opposite sex and same sex couples.
A civil partnership, unlike a marriage, does not require a ceremony, meaning that you can choose to sign the schedule in the presence of two witnesses. Please contact us to book an appointment.
The civil partnership will be registered once each of you have signed the civil partnership schedule in the presence of the registrar and two witnesses.
Types of civil partnership ceremony
The enhanced ceremony is an ideal choice for couples who would like to create a more personal ceremony for their special day.
We invite you to include your own personal additions: choosing your own music; adding a reading or a poem; exchanging rings and/or making personal promises to each other (in addition to the legal declaration and contract words for a marriage and the signing of the schedule for a civil partnership formation).
The law does not allow religious content to be included in a legal civil marriage ceremony/civil partnership formation. This means the inclusion of prayers, hymns, or a passage or verse from religious text, a ritual, or any other religious song, poem or music is not allowed.
If you want your enhanced ceremony to be legal, it must take place in a Registration Office ceremony room or at a licensed Nottinghamshire venue . If you are thinking of holding your ceremony in a venue that isn’t licensed or would like to include any aspects detailed above that are not permitted in a legal civil ceremony/formation, our Bespoke ceremony will give you the opportunity to tailor a ceremony to your wishes.
Whilst a civil partnership formation does not legally require a ceremony, we recognise that you may still want to celebrate your formation with a ceremony surrounded by your family and friends, and are pleased to offer you a ceremony which enables you to include your personal additions. You may choose to include the ceremony, or to simply sign the civil partnership schedule.
If you are looking for a ‘no frills’ ceremony without any personalisation, the Standard ceremony is for you.
These are available on specified mornings only in Registration Office (insert link) ceremony rooms. Standard ceremony content is predetermined, with no form of personalisation, although you will have the option to exchange rings. Guests are limited to eighteen plus the couple.
The law does not allow religious content to be included in a legal civil marriage ceremony/civil partnership formation. This means the inclusion of prayers, hymns, or a passage or verse from religious text, a ritual, or any other religious song, poem or music is not allowed.
Whilst a civil partnership formation does not legally require a ceremony, we recognise that you may still want to form your partnership in the presence of your family and friends. You may choose to include the ceremony or to simply sign the civil partnership schedule.
If you would prefer to have a basic marriage ceremony / civil partnership formation with just the minimum legal requirements (two witnesses only), then the statutory option is for you. These are available at our register office in Worksop at specified times.
A statutory civil partnership formation requires both parties to sign a legal schedule in which you declare your wish and understanding to form a legal partnership with each other, overseen by a Celebrant Registrar and your two witnesses. You will have the option to exchange rings.
How to choose your ceremony and confirm your choices
Once you have decided on your ceremony, contact us to book the date and time. For costs for this and other services we offer, visit ceremony fees.
Legal requirements
In order to form a civil partnership you each need to give notice of your intention at your local registration office [GOV.UK]. There is then a minimum 28-day waiting period before your ceremony. If you are subject to immigration control the waiting period could be extended up to 70 days.
Conversion of a civil partnership to a marriage
For details of how to convert your civil partnership to a marriage please contact us.