Civil Partnerships

Any two persons, regardless of where they live, may enter into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland provided that:

Both persons are at least 16 years of age on the day of the civil partnership registration. Persons over 16 years and under 18 years of age require parental consent
They are not related to one another in a way, which would prevent their civil partnership registration; if in doubt, please ask the Registrar
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 or annulment, or the previous civil partnership has been legally dissolved)
They are of the same sex
They are capable of understanding the nature of a civil partnership

It is important to make early arrangements for the date and time of your civil partnership registration in order to obtain the date of your choice.

Both parties must submit their completed Civil Partnership Notice Forms, relevant documents, declarations and fees to the Registration Office, to inform the Registrar of their intention to enter a civil partnership
A couple must give at least 14 working days’ notice (not including Saturday, Sunday or Public Holidays), but preferably 3 months. Notice can be given up to one year in advance
Application forms must be completed by the couple and returned to the Registrar
You need to arrange for two persons aged 16 years or over to be present at your civil partnership registration to act as witnesses
The ceremony must be conducted in an approved venue. You can have a simple signing ceremony at Down District Council’s Registration Office, or a more enhanced ceremony in the Council’s Ceremony Room. For a list of other approved venues in the district, please contact the Registration Office
Please let the Registrar know if you change your plans or decide to postpone your civil partnership registration

When the Registrar is satisfied there is no legal impediment to the civil partnership registration, a Civil Partnership Schedule will be prepared from the information which the parties have supplied
The Registrar will ensure that the Civil Partnership Schedule is available for signature at the civil partnership registration
A fee for the civil partnership registration and if applicable, for the attendance of an authorised Registrar at an approved place is payable to the Registrar at the time of notice

For more information about registering a Civil Partnership in Down District, please view the document (PDF) below.

Contact

Registration Office
Down District Council
24 Strangford Road
Downpatrick
BT30 6SR
T: 0 28 4461 0825

Advanced Search »

Your Council