Follow our step-by-step guide to forming a civil partnership in Cambridgeshire. If you can't find what you're looking for on this page you might find what you want in our Frequently Asked Questions. More general information about formation can be found on GOV.UK.
1. Book your Formation
You can only book online if you intend to hold your formation from Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
If you intend to have your formation in an Approved Venue you must have discussed dates and times with them before booking our services.
2. Notices of Civil Partnership
Notice of Civil Partnership is a legal requirement where you book an appointment to see a registrar with documents to prove your identity. You can give notice up to 12 months before the date of your ceremony but we would recommend that you do so 4-6 months before your big day to ensure that all the legal requirements have been completed before the date of your ceremony.
If you cannot meet the requirements at the appointment we may not be able to take your notice, which may mean making a new appointment, paying a new fee, and possibly delaying your formation.
3. Plan Your Day
Find out how to personalise your formation. A ceremony for a civil partnership formation is optional. If you do not require a ceremony please can you email us the names of your witnesses before the ceremony.
Click here if you are forming your civil partnership in a Ceremony Room.
Click here if you are forming your civil partnership in an Approved Venue.
4. Your Certificates
The law means that the details of your civil partnership are recorded on a civil partnership ‘schedule’ or in some cases ‘document’, signed by you, your witnesses and the officiant. This is simply a pre-printed A4 piece of paper.
Details from the completed civil partnership 'schedule' or 'document' will be entered on the electronic register within 7 days of your schedule or document being received at the register office, in the area where you got married. In the case of religious ceremonies, it may first take up to 21 days for your paperwork to be received at our offices.
A civil partnership certificate can only be issued after the details have been entered on to the electronic register. This means that you will not be able to obtain a civil partnership certificate on the day of your civil partnership. This applies whether you have a civil or religious ceremony / formation.
If you have paid for certificates already these will be posted by second class Royal Mail (typically post can take 2-3 weeks to be delivered).
If you have not paid for certificates, or have any other questions about certificates (including when they will be received), please see the 'certificates' section of our Frequently Asked Questions..
5. Convert Your Civil Partnership to a Marriage
Information about converting a same sex civil partnership into a marriage can be found on GOV.UK here.