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Civil partnership act 2004

The Civil Partnership Act came into effect in December 2005.

This Act ensures the same rights and privileges afforded to straight couples through marriage are now available to gay and lesbian couples through registering as civil partners.

Who can register as civil partners?

Two people of the same sex who are at least 16 years old are now able to form a civil partnership if they are not already a civil partner or married.

You will need to:

visit the registration service to give formal notice of your intention to register your partnership
wait 15 days
organise the service in the same way as any civil marriage
provide 2 witnesses and both your signatures on the day

You may be able to arrange a blessing in a church by a vicar or other religious leader

What rights do you get?

next-of-kin rights which for example, allow you to be consulted and informed in the event of your civil partner being hospitalised
rights in relation to your partner's children
tax rights if your partner dies, which means money and property that is left to the surviving partner will be exempt from taxation
pension rights and bereavement benefits should your civil partner die

If your relationship ends you will have to consider applying for a 'dissolution' of the partnership.

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