A civil partnership is recognised in law when you acknowledge the words in the schedule. This is then signed in the presence of the Partnership Registrar and two witnesses.
You do not have to take part in a ceremony, or exchange rings, but you can choose to do so.
Civil partnership formations can take place at any Register Office in England and Wales. They can also be held at premises approved by a local authority for the formation of civil partnerships. For a list of venues in Calderdale, see: Approved venues for ceremonies.
Should I choose a marriage or a civil partnership?
We cannot give any advice on the validity or benefits of choosing either a marriage or a civil partnership.
Are you unsure of issues like inheritance or your personal finances? You should get legal or financial advice to help you choose whether to form a marriage or a civil partnership.
Booking a civil partnership
To book a civil partnership at an approved venue you must contact them.
Please note: You must book Registration Officers, from the local register office, to conduct the formation.
For more details, visit: Marriages and Civil Partnerships (GOV.UK).
Ceremonies at Approved Venues in Calderdale
These can be booked up to a maximum of 12 months in advance, subject to registrars being available.
Ceremonies at Calderdale Register Office or Spring Hall
We are taking new bookings for dates from May 2025. We have no more dates available until then.
Ceremonies can be booked up to a maximum of 12 months in advance, subject to registrars being available
Ceremonies that will take place within two months of the booking date
These will only be made if you can make an appointment to give your notices at least 29 days in advance.
Legal formalities
Giving notice
Notice of civil partnership must be given by each of you personally to your local Superintendent Registrar(s).
Both of you must have lived in a registration district in England or Wales for at least seven consecutive nights. This is directly before giving notice at the register office. If you both live in the same district, you will give notice at the same office. If you live in different registration districts, you will give notice separately, in your own district. (Unless one or both of you are subject to immigration control.)
- A notice of civil partnership is valid for twelve months.
You cannot give notice of civil partnership more than twelve months before the date of your wedding.
- A notice of civil partnership is valid only for the venue named on the notice.
You can alter the date of your civil partnership, provided it is before the expiry date of the authorities. To change the location you need a new notice and fee.
After giving notice, you must wait a further 28 clear days before the civil partnership can take place. For example, if notice is given on 1st July, the civil partnership may take place on (or after) 30th July.
Civil partnership notices are taken by appointment only at Calderdale Register Office.
- We are booking these in ceremony date order, up to two months in advance of a confirmed ceremony. This is due to the high demand for appointments.
- You can ask for an appointment by email: ceremonies.team@calderdale.gov.uk.
- Please do not request an appointment unless you have a confirmed ceremony date within the next two or three months.
- If you have booked a last-minute ceremony, we will do our best to arrange an appointment for you. It may not always be possible to do this without at least two weeks' notice.
Please note:
- Ceremonies in Calderdale can be booked up to 12 months in advance. You should contact us to book as soon as possible within this timescale.
- We are not able to take notices for ceremonies where the date and venue have not been arranged.
- Both authorities must have been issued on (or before) the day of the civil partnership, for it to take place.
Documents needed
To give notice of civil partnership to a Superintendent Registrar, you must both produce documents confirming your:
- Name;
- age;
- marital status;
- and nationality.
Evidence of name, surname, date of birth and nationality
We will need to see one of these:
- A current valid passport.
- A valid biometric immigration document issued by the Home Office.
- A full UK birth certificate (for people born in the UK only). If you were born after 1st January 1983, you need your mother's birth certificate. If you do not have this, you will need other proof of her nationality. (Valid at the time of your birth.)
Evidence of Place of Residence
- A utility bill, dated no more than 3 months before the appointment. (It can be for gas, electric, water, landline or broadband/cable, but not a mobile phone bill).
- Or a bank statement, dated no more than one month before the appointment.
- Or a Council Tax bill, dated no more than one year before the appointment.
- Or a mortgage statement, dated no more than one year before the appointment.
- Or a valid driving licence.
Other required evidence
- If you have been widowed, the death certificate of your former spouse/civil partner.
- If you are divorced or your previous civil partnership has been dissolved, the decree absolute/dissolution certificate.*
- If you have changed your name, Deed Poll documents.
- If you are under 18 years old, a completed consent form.
* For divorces granted outside the British Isles, you must send a copy of your paperwork to the Register Office. They can then check this before your appointment. If the paperwork is not in English, you must provide a certified translation.
There is a fee to process a foreign divorce. The fee depends on where your divorce was granted. You will be advised of this when you submit your paperwork.
Note: This fee is to be paid at the time of booking your appointment, as well as your notice fee.
You must book your venue, before booking a notice appointment.
Fees
For details on charges for civil partnership arrangements and ceremonies, see: Fees.