A partnership formation takes effect when the couple sign to register their partnership in the presence of two witnesses and a registration officer. They must first complete the legal preliminaries:
Both reside for at least 9 days in England or Wales
Give notice of their intention to form a civil partnership by attending their local register office. If either or both partners are subject to immigration controls then both parties must attend together to a designated register office (Hounslow is a designated office) with proof of their eligibility from the Home Office.
Notices are on public display for a 15 day waiting period.
The partnership formation can then take place.
Requirements for notice giving
Registering civil partnerships are by appointment only
The couple must be of the same sex, over 18 years (or provide evidence of consent of parent/s/guardian if 16 to 18 years), not related to each other within the prohibited degrees of relationship and not in an existing marriage or civil partnership. They must also have lived concurrently for at least 9 days in the area where notice is being given
A Notice of Intent - Legal preliminaries to forming a civil partnership.
You need to decide where you want your civil partnership ceremony to take place. It can be at any register office or approved premises in the UK.
Each party of the proposed Civil Partnership must then attend the register office in the district(s) of where they live to declare that they are legally free to form a Civil Partnership.
The notice of Intent is a face-to-face interview with the Superintendent Registrar. Each person must attend to give notice and produce documents to show proof of identity and nationality and proof of residency and pay statutory fees for Notice of Intent.
The Notice is displayed for 16 consecutive days in the Register Office for any legal objections that anyone may want to raise.
To give notice of Intent of a civil partnership you must
have both lived for at least 9 consecutive days at a UK address
both give separate notices even if you live at the same address
Wait at least 16 days following your notice before the civil partnership can take place
When you attend to give your notices of Intent we will need to see certain documents.
1. ID requirement – originals only.
British or EEA passport or Valid Passport
Full UK birth certificate (please note : if you do not hold a current passport and are providing a full UK birth certificate and were born AFTER 1983 then you must also provide a full birth certificate of your mother or father (if parents were married)
2. Proof of address : one of the following – originals only
A recent bank statement
Photo driving licence
Council tax demand
Home Office letter
Please note we do not accept utility bills
If either party is subject to immigration control and holds a non EU passport, as a Designated Register Office, Hounslow is able to take your notices of Intent, however both parties must attend an appointment together.
3. If either party has previously married or entered into a civil partnership in the UK or any other country the following will be required:
Divorce documents / dissolution papers bearing the court’s original stamp
If the divorce / dissolution papers are not in English, you must provide a translation in addition to the original documents
If your previous spouse or civil partner died you will need to bring an original death certificate.
Please note:
Other documents may be required depending on the circumstances. For example any change of name documents such as a deed poll. A consent form, issued by the superintendent registrar of the district of where the notice is to be given, of parents to a civil partnership where one of the couple is under the age of 18 years
4. Fee: The current statutory fee payable for giving notice of intent is £33.50 per person.
Notice of Intent of Civil Partnership is by appointment only
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: between 9am and 3.30pm
Wednesdays 9am – 12.30pm.
Saturdays by appointment for Civil Partnership ceremonies.
Formation of the partnership
Following a 15 day minimum waiting period, the registration of the partnership can take place. This must take place between 8am and 6pm in the presence of two witnesses and a registration officer. The formation can take place in any local authority, not only where the notices of intention have been given, at register offices and premises approved for civil partnership and marriage.
The formation cannot take place in places of religious worship or buildings with a religious association.
Contact us
Email: registeroffice@hounslow.gov.uk
Hounslow Register Office
88 Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DW
General enquiries/certificates: 020 8583 2090
General office opening hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 4.30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 1pm only, closed in the afternoon