Civil or Religious Ceremony
Gay Weddings And The Civil Partnership Act
The New Law
The Civil Partnership Act came into force on December 5th 2005, allowing two people of the same sex to register with the State as civil partners. After years of campaigning by gay rights groups, the first ceremonies took place on 20 December, giving both partners legal rights and responsibilities.Who Performs A Civil Partnership
The civil partnership ceremony is performed by a registrar, it is a non-religious ceremony (although you could have a religious blessing afterwards) and perceived as a type of civil ceremony for same sex couples. It involves both partners signing a civil partnership document.Where The Ceremony Takes Place
The new law allows two people to be registered as civil partners at a registry office or at any other place upon which they and the local registration authority (ie the local council) agree. The only stipulation is that the place must not be what is seen to be as 'religious premises', in other words a place used for religious purposes. To avoid problems, discuss your venue choice with the registrar for the district you want to register your partnership with.Format Of The Ceremony And The Wording
The Civil Partnership Act does not set out a universally prescribed form that the registration should take, but the Registrar General has laid out a suggested format for the ceremony as guidance for local registrars. You can actually register your civil partnership without a ceremony, but if you would like one it's best to discuss the possible format and wording with the district registrar.Paperwork
If one or both partners live outside Scotland, you can still have the ceremony here, provided the necessary paperwork is completed. Even if you do live in Scotland you will need to ensure the relevant documents (including your Civil Partnership Notice Forms) are submitted. Full details of the documents you need are available from the General Register Office for Scotland. You hand them in to the registrar closest to your ceremony location. Just like a traditional marriage, you need to submit the Notice Forms during the four-six week period before the registration and no later than 15 days before the registration itself. After the ceremony you will receive a registration certificate...................................................................................................
Useful Links
- www.gayweddingscotland.co.uk
- Stonewall gay rights campaign: www.stonewall.org.uk





