Civil partnership in Scotland
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 can't have a civil partnership with)
- of the same sex
- capable of understanding what a civil partnership means and of consenting to a civil partnership
Different types of civil partnership ceremony
There are 2 different types of civil partnership ceremony you can have in Scotland:
- civil ceremony - can take place in a registrar office or anywhere agreed with the registrar, except religious premises
- religious or belief ceremony - can take place anywhere by someone approved to conduct a ceremony, for example a celebrant
Check with the religious or belief body that they will allow you to have a civil partnership.
There is 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 ceremony.
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 will 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 ceremonies
If you're having a religious or belief ceremony you'll also need to collect the 'civil partnership schedule'.
A civil partnership schedule is a form you sign during your ceremony.
You can collect this from 7 days before your ceremony. 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 ceremony.
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
Telephone: 0131 314 4447
Find out about call charges on the GOV.UK website.