Guidance on civil partnerships in Northern Ireland

People who can enter into civil partnerships in Northern Ireland

Any two people, regardless of where they live, may enter into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland, as long as:

• both are at least 16 years of age on the day of their civil partnership - anyone under 18 will need permission from their parent or guardian
• they are not related to one another in a way which would prevent their civil partnership registration
• they are unmarried or are not already in a civil partnership (any person who has already been married or in a civil partnership must produce documentary evidence that the previous marriage or civil partnership has been ended by death, divorce, annulment, or dissolution)
• they are capable of understanding the nature of a civil partnership

Couples from England and Wales

If a person is aged over 16 and under 18 years old they can enter into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland. You should note that the civil partnership will not be legally recognised in England and Wales. 

The minimum age for civil partnership in England and Wales is 18 years of age and this is the case even if they enter into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland. 

This applies to all couples forming a civil partnership in Northern Ireland, where one or both parties are under the age of 18.

It is particularly relevant to couples who have a home address in the England and Wales.

Types of relationship within which civil partnership is unlawful

Civil partnership registration may not possible if the parties are related.

Circumstances where a civil partnership is not possible

Two people cannot enter into a civil partnership if they are related to each other by being a:

• adoptive child
• adoptive parent
• child
• former adoptive child
• former adoptive parent
• grandparent
• grandchild
• parent
• parent’s sibling
• sibling
• sibling’s child

In the list the term 'sibling' means a brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister.

Circumstances where a civil partnership may be possible

Two people cannot enter into a civil partnership if one falls within the following list where it directly concerns the other. However, there are some exceptions:

• child of former civil partner
• child of former spouse
• former civil partner of grandparent
• former civil partner of parent
• former spouse of grandparent
• former spouse of parent
• grandchild of former civil partner
• grandchild of former spouse

Exceptions

• both of them have reached 21 at the time when they register as civil partners of each other, and
• the younger has not at any time before reaching 18 lived in the same household as that other person, and been treated by that other person as a child of his/her family

Your rights as a civil partner

As a civil partner you have the right to equal treatment as a married couple in a wide range of legal matters.

• Find out your rights

Making arrangements

It is important to make early arrangements for the date and time of your civil partnership registration. In order to get the date of your choice, you should plan early to avoid disappointment.

• Registering a civil partnership

Interpreters

The onus is on the couple to provide an interpreter who will be required to sign a declaration that he/she is able to understand the language in which he/ she is to act as an interpreter at the civil partnership registration.

After the registration, the interpreter must give the person registering the civil partnership a certificate written in English and signed by the interpreter that he/ she has faithfully acted as interpreter at the civil partnership proceedings.

Objections

An objection to a civil partnership can be lodged with the registrar at any time between the notice being submitted and the registration taking place.

• District Registrars in Northern Ireland

Penalty for making a false statement

A person, who makes a false statement to register or prevent a civil partnership is guilty of perjury and could be liable for prosecution.

Civil partnership outside the UK and Republic of Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland and want to register your civil partnership outside the UK or Republic of Ireland, you must check with the registration service of the country where you want the registration to take place. 

There may be certain requirements or documents you need to provide.

• Getting married abroad

More useful links

• Order a civil partnership certificate
• Marriage/ civil partnership and immigration control
• Visiting Northern Ireland to marry or form a civil partnership