Converting your relationship
You can convert your same sex civil partnership to a marriage if:
- you formed a civil partnership in Northern Ireland
- you formed a civil partnership abroad at a consular or embassy under the Civil Partnership (Registration Abroad and Certificates) Order 2005
or
- you formed a civil partnership abroad where at least one party had an armed forces connection under the Civil Partnership (Armed Forces) Order 2005
You can convert your opposite sex marriage to a civil partnership if:
- you solemnised a marriage in Northern Ireland
- you solemnised a marriage abroad at a consular or embassy under Part 2 of The Consular Marriages and Marriages under Foreign Law (No.2) Order 2014
or
- You solemnised a marriage abroad where at least one party had a armed forces connection under the Overseas Marriage (Armed Forces) Order 2014
Once a civil partnership is converted into a marriage or a marriage converted into a civil partnership:
- the original civil partnership or marriage ends
and
- the couple is treated as having been married or in a civil partnership since the date of the original event
The conversion converts one legal relationship into another.
Following the conversion, the couple will get a marriage or civil partnership certificate, dated from when the original relationship was formed.
Where a conversion can take place
You can convert your same sex civil partnership into a marriage at:
- a register office
- an approved venue
or
- a place in Northern Ireland by an officiant who is authorised to conduct same sex marriage
You can convert a marriage to a civil partnership at:
- a register office
or
- an approved venue
How to convert your relationship
There are two ways you can convert your relationship:
- the standard procedure – providing the required information and signing of the conversion declaration at a registration office on the same occasion
or
- two-stage procedure - providing the required information to the registrar and signing of the declaration takes place at a specified place and time
What you need to do
You should contact the local registration office in the district you wish the conversion of your relationship to take place.
It is important to make early arrangements with the registrar as you will both need to attend together at the registration office to submit the application and the required evidence which will be your current civil partnership or marriage certificate and proof of identity.
The registrar will be able to make an appointment for you for a date from 7 December 2020 onwards.
Advise the registrar which procedure you wish to follow and where you wish the signing of the conversion declaration to take place.
The registrar will ask you to fill out an application form and will advise you how it should be sent to them. The application forms can be downloaded at the following links;
- Application form to convert a civil partnership into a marriage
- Application form to convert a marriage into a civil partnership
How much it costs
There will be no cost for the signing of the conversion declaration in the first year (7 December 2020 to 6 December 2021).
A marriage or civil partnership certificate costs £8.00.
Councils may apply additional fees for attendance of a registrar at:
- a registration office after 5.00pm, Monday to Friday or on a Saturday or bank holiday
or
- an approved venue
The cost of the ceremony may vary by venue and council.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) conversion ceremony restrictions
Be aware that your conversion ceremony must be conducted under the current coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that apply in relation to marriages and civil partnerships.