Is a Civil Partnership Right for You?

Civil partnerships were introduced in 2005 for same‑sex couples, but since 2019 they’ve been open to everyone. Many people still assume they’re only for same‑sex partners. Yet the law now treats civil partners and married spouses almost identically. If you’re wondering, ‘Is a Civil Partnership Right for me?’ a civil partnership may appeal if you want legal recognition without the cultural or religious associations of marriage.

Who can enter a civil partnership?

The rules mirror those for marriage. You must both be over 18, free to marry or form a partnership, not closely related, have mental capacity, and enter the relationship voluntarily. Sex and gender are irrelevant.

How common are civil partnerships?

Around 7,000 civil partnerships are formed each year in the UK, compared with roughly 247,000 marriages. Over 80% now involve opposite‑sex couples. Numbers have grown since 2019 but appear to be levelling off, so civil partnerships remain a minority choice.

Can I still have a wedding?

The legal steps are similar to marriage. This means it is not quicker or cheaper to have a civil ceremony. You must give at least 29 days’ notice, attend a ceremony conducted by a registrar, and have two witnesses. The minimum requirements for the ceremony itself are simple; you declare there is no a legal reason why you cannot form the partnership. Then you sign the schedule.

You cannot have a religious ceremony; therefore, the civil ceremony cannot be held at a place of worship or include any religious readings or songs. Vows are not necessary, although you can say them if you wish. If you would like a religious element, you could have a blessing after the civil ceremony has concluded.

Otherwise, a civil ceremony and a marriage ceremony are identical. If you would like to have a traditional wedding, complete with flowers, vows, dressing up and a big party, there are many venues throughout England and Wales that can facilitate this. You may refer to the ceremony as a wedding on invites and social media posts.

What differences are there in law between a civil partnership and a marriage?

Legally, the effects are almost identical. A civil partnership gives you inheritance rights, parental responsibility for future children, and financial claims on each other’s assets and income. Your will is revoked, just as it would be on marriage.

You cannot describe yourself as ‘married’ on official documents. Same-sex couples can convert a civil partnership into a marriage, but heterosexual couples cannot. In the latter case, this means that if you change your mind, you would need to dissolve the partnership and then marry. This would be time-consuming and expensive. If the relationship ends, the process is called dissolution rather than divorce, but the procedure and financial orders are the same.

So, is a civil partnership right for me?

The real differences between marriage and civil partnership are cultural, not legal. You may prefer the language of ‘partner’ over ‘spouse’, or feel more comfortable avoiding the symbolism of marriage.

In the instance where one of you has significantly greater assets or income, or if you have children, a civil partnership offers far stronger protection than remaining unmarried for the less wealthy party. If you’re concerned about protecting your assets, a prenuptial agreement may be used in the same way as for marriage.

Where neither marriage nor civil partnership feels appropriate, you might consider a Cohabitation Agreement. These can set out intentions over ownership of property and finances. They also clarify arrangements if you separate, helping to avoid conflict later.

At Blanchards Law, we understand that every relationship is unique and there are no one-size-fits-all solutions.

If you are contemplating marriage or a civil partnership and you want to discuss the wider implications of this, we would be happy to speak with you. Contact us today by calling 0333 344 6302.