Civil Partnerships
From this date same sex couples are able to give notice of their intent to form a Civil Partnership to a Partnership Registrar located at Bishop Auckland, Durham City, Peterlee and Stanley Register Offices. This enables same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. Couples who form a civil partnership will have a new legal status, that of ‘civil partner’.
To give notice in County Durham, you will need to live at an address within the County for at least 7 days. There may be other legal requirements for the registration of your civil partnership, but appointment systems are in use in all Register Offices and we strongly recommend that you contact us to book your appointment. We will also provide further information and advice concerning the requirements of the Civil Partnership legislation and any documentation you will need to bring with you.
After giving notice, you must then wait fifteen clear days before the civil partnership can be registered – for example, if notice is given on the 5 December, the registration can take place on or after the 21 December. Your notice will be valid for 12 months from the date it is given.
The minimum legal age for registering a civil partnership in England and Wales is 16 years of age but written consent will be required for anyone under 18.
The cost of giving notice is £30.00 per person and the Civil Partnership registration fee is £40 plus £3.50 for the certified schedule.
The Council has also developed a Civil Partnership Ceremony to complement the Civil Partnership Registration that can be held in the ceremony rooms at Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Durham City, Peterlee and Stanley Register Offices or alternatively at any of the premises approved for Marriages and Civil Partnership throughout the County. A simple ceremony can be held in the Register Office for the statutory fee of £43.50.
The cost of a ceremony at Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Durham City, Peterlee and Stanley Register Offices will be, with effect from 1st April 2008:
- £75.00 Monday - Friday
- £100.00 Saturday Morning
- £175.00 Saturday Afternoon
- £200.00 Sunday/Bank Holiday
The ceremony has been developed in consultation with Gay Advice Darlington and the Council as a whole is committed to ensure that the requirements of the legislation are fully met as part of its wider equalities and diversity policies.
The cost of an expanded ceremony on approved premises, with effect from 1 April 2008, will be £250 weekdays, £310 Saturdays and £365 Sundays and Public Holidays.
Further details concerning all aspects of Civil Partnerships can be obtained by contacting members of staff at our Durham City, Peterlee, Stanley or Bishop Auckland Register Offices.
