Civil Partnership
Available to same and opposite sex couples, your civil partnership ceremony can take place across any of our renowned venues. This allows for all couples to obtain legal recognition for their relationship and be treated equally in a wide range of legal matters to those couples who enter into a marriage. It is our pleasure to adapt the ceremony to your requirements, be it simply signing the schedule in front of your witnesses, delivering a ceremony script and incorporating additional elements such as readings, promises and music.
Available to both same and opposite sex couples, in order to form a civil partnership you must:
- be aged 16 years or over
- not already married or in a civil partnership
- not closely related to your intended spouse
- give ‘notice’ at least 30 days before the ceremony date.
In Telford and Wrekin, we offer the following Civil partnership ceremony types:
- a statutory legal ceremony held in the Superintendent Registrar's Office for the couple and 2 witnesses only
- a standard legal ceremony held in the Wrekin Suite for up to 60 guests, with a selection of set music choices
- an enhanced, personalised legal ceremony held in the Wrekin Suite for up to 60 guests, with the option to include personal promises, up to 2 readings and music choices either from our options or personal choice
- an enhanced, personalised legal ceremony held at an approved, licensed venue of your choosing, incorporating personal promises, up to 3 readings and your own music choices to make it truly bespoke.
Please note: that all personal ceremony choices (where applicable) will be subject to checks by the Registrar team to ensure they are appropriate for the ceremony and that there is no religious content.
A civil partnership is formed by the signing of the schedule meaning no works have to be spoken - however with all our civil partnership ceremony options the Registrar can incorporate a ceremonial script if you would like.
What is the difference between a marriage and a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is a legal relationship entered into by a couple which is registered and provides them similar legal rights to married couples. Marriage is formed by the speaking of vows whilst a civil partnership is formed by the signing of the civil partnership schedule. Marriage is ended through divorce whilst a civil partnership is dissolved. A civil partnership provides similar rights and obligations to that of marriage, such as property rights, pension benefits, inheritance and tax entitlements, the ability to obtain parental responsibility for a partner’s child and the same rights of next of kin in hospitals. Visit the GOV.UK website.
For more information about civil partnership ceremonies please email occasions@telford.gov.uk.