Civil partnership in Scotland
Civil partnership during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Where you can register a civil partnership
You can register a civil partnership inside or outside at a public venue such as a hotel, register office or a place of worship.
You can also register a civil partnership outside in a private place such as a garden outside your home.
Number of people who can be there
The number of people depends on the protection level where you're registering the civil partnership.
Protection level 4
Up to 5 people (6 people if you need and interpreter).
The rules for protection level 4 are:
- numbers include the couple, 2 witnesses, the person registering the civil partnership and an interpreter if you need one
- these can be from any number of households
- you cannot have other guests there
- there's no exceptions to the rules for children
- there's no exceptions to the rules for photographers
- everyone should follow physical distancing rules
Protection levels 1,2 and 3
Up to 20 people.
Protection level 0
Up to 50 people.
The rules for protection levels 0 to 3 are:
- numbers include the couple, witnesses, guests and anyone employed by the couple, such as a photographer
- numbers include any children
- it does not include the person registering the civil partnership or staff at a venue
- everyone should follow physical distancing rules
- there's no limit on how many households can attend
Check the protection level of an area.
Civil partnership inside a private place
You cannot register a civil partnership inside a private place such as your home or hired holiday accommodation.
This is unless you cannot register the civil partnership in a public place. This could be because:
- one of the couple is seriously ill
- a disability stops one of them registering the civil partnership somewhere else
In this situation, the number of people there should be the minimum. This means:
- the couple
- the person registering the civil partnership
- the 2 witnesses
- any interpreter who is needed
These limits only apply to the civil partnership registration.
Civil partnership reception
Different rules apply to gatherings before or after the ceremony. For example, a reception.
The number of people who can be there depends on the protection level where you're having the reception.
Protection level 4
You cannot have a reception.
Protection level 0
Up to 50 people.
Protection levels 1,2 and 3
Up to 20 people.
The rules for protection levels 0 to 3 that allow a reception are:
- the reception must take place in a regulated venue such as a hotel or restaurant
- if the reception takes place somewhere else such as someone's home or garden the limits on household meetings apply
Check the protection level of an area.
You should also check travel restrictions that may affect your plans.
You can get further guidance on civil partnerships during coronavirus on gov.scot.
Future changes to civil partnerships in Scotland
You can read more about future changes to marriages and civil partnerships during coronavirus on gov.scot.
Who can have a civil partnership
You can have a civil partnership in Scotland if you're:
- aged 16 or over
- not married or in a civil partnership with someone else
- not closely related (see below for a list of relatives you cannot have a civil partnership with)
- of the same sex
- capable of understanding what a civil partnership means and of consenting to a civil partnership
Mixed sex civil partnership
A mixed sex civil partnership is one between 2 people of a different sex.
You cannot have a mixed sex civil partnership in Scotland yet.
The Scottish Parliament passed a new law which will make civil partnership available to mixed sex couples in the future.
We do not have a date for this right now. We'll update this page when we know the date.
You can read more about the future of mixed sex civil partnership on gov.scot.
Different types of civil partnership registration
There are 2 different types of civil partnership registration you can have in Scotland:
- civil registration - can take place in a registrar office or anywhere agreed with the registrar, except religious premises
- religious or belief registration - can take place anywhere by someone approved to register a civil partnership
Check with the religious or belief body that they'll register your civil partnership.
There's a different process if you want to change a civil partnership to a marriage.
How to have a civil partnership
You both need to complete a Civil Partnership Notice form (tells the local registrar you want to enter a civil partnership).
You need to return your forms and any other documents needed to the registrar at least 29 days before your civil partnership registration.
They can be returned to the registrar in the area you're having your civil partnership either in person or by post.
Your immigration status
You'll need to complete a Declaration of Status of Immigration form if you're not from:
- the UK
- the European Union
- Switzerland
- Iceland
- Norway
- Lichenstein
Religious or belief registration
If you're having a religious or belief civil partnership registration you'll also need to collect the 'civil partnership schedule'.
A civil partnership schedule is a form you sign during your registration.
You can collect this from 7 days before you register your civil partnership. You or your partner will need to collect it in person.
The civil partnership schedule needs to be returned to the registrar within 3 days of the registration.
Once this has been handed in your civil partnership will be registered. You can then order and pay for a civil partnership certificate.
Forms
If you have any problems with the online forms, you can get them from a registration office. You can find a list of all the registrars in Scotland on the National Records of Scotland website.
Further information
There's more information about civil partnerships in Scotland on the National Records of Scotland website.
If you're not sure what you need to do, you can contact:
National Records of Scotland
Marriage/Civil Partnership Section
Room 38
New Register House
3 West Register Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3YT
Email: civilpartnership@nrscotland.gov.uk
Phone: 0131 314 4447
Find out about call charges on the GOV.UK website.