Civil partnerships were introduced in 2005 to legally recognise a same sex union. Since 30 June 2021 (in Scotland), opposite sex couples have been able to enter a civil partnership.

A civil partnership is a legal relationship entered by a couple, which is then registered and provides them with similar legal rights as married couples.

More information about civil partnerships can be found on the Scottish Government website.

You don't need to be resident in Scotland to enter a civil partnership here.

If you are subject to immigration control you should read the information provided by the Home Office carefully.

You can choose to have either:

• A civil partnership registration – where both parties and the witnesses come to a registration office to complete the registration.

OR

• A civil partnership registration with ceremony – this can be a civil ceremony (conducted by a registrar) or a religious or belief ceremony.

This ceremony may take place in a registration office or at any place mutually agreed between the couple and the local registration authority.

 Our office-based ceremonies now take place at Callendar House. We can personalise your ceremony to suit your wishes.

This ceremony can be solemnised only by a minister, clergyman, pastor, priest or other person entitled to do so under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. 

If you are planning on registering a civil partnership, you must by law submit civil partnership notice forms, submit the associated documents, and pay the statutory fee, to the registrar in whose district you intend to register the civil partnership.