Where do we start?
So you’ve finally done it! What fantastic news, you two are
going to make it legal, congratulations!
You're probably thinking what do we do next, and where do we
start with all the preparations?
Here are some tips from Julie, who enjoyed her own civil
partnership here in Cheshire East and wants to pass on some help in
making the big day easier...
- Book the Venue
- Book the Registrar
- ‘Give Notice’
- The Ceremony details
"Book the Registrar! – most important, none of
this can happen without them!
If the big day is within three years you can provisionally
book the Registrar. Do this as soon as you’ve found the venue and
got your day sorted with them. Speak to the Ceremonies Team on
01270 375140 as they will be able to provide you will all the
information about what to do next.
"Just one of the many good things about Civil Partnership (apart
from the fact that you’ve found each other and want to spend the
rest of your lives together) is that unlike a marriage, there
doesn’t need to be a ceremony at all. If you feel happier simply
signing the schedule to form the partnership rather than being
centre of attention at a ceremony, then this can happen too. With
no vows to say, you simply sign the schedule along with your two
witnesses and slip away quietly to celebrate!
"When you get to a year, or within a year, before the big day
(whichever comes first) you’ll need to ‘complete the legal
paperwork’. Your Registrar will be able to tell you where and when
you need to do this – this is called ‘Giving notice or
notice of intent’ (bit long winded, but once this is done,
your booking is confirmed, the ceremony can go ahead and you can
forget all about the legal side of things, and get on with the
outfit buying and all the good stuff!).
"The funny thing is because our ceremony was in another area to
where we live, we had to book the Registrar where the venue was to
conduct the ceremony for us, but then we both had to do the legal
paperwork with the Registrar in the area where we live (but again
the Registrar helped me understand this, and I’m sure they’ll
explain it all to you too). When you go to that appointment they
will ask for documents to prove who you are, your nationality and
that you are single (hopefully!).
"The usual paperwork they tend to ask for is passport for each of
you, a bill or bank statement each and if you’ve been married or
through a civil partnership before either the decree absolute,
dissolution papers or death certificate to show you are now free to
go and do it all again! There’s also a fee to be paid at this point
too.
"Sixteen days later our ‘Schedule’ was printed,
this is the authority that allows the partnership to be formed. You
don’t need to worry about this though as the Registrar where your
ceremony is taking place will be able to print this prior to the
ceremony and have it ready for you to sign.
"I don’t know where you’re thinking of having your big day,
but just as an aside, I’ve had friends who have formed their
partnership abroad and they still had to go and see the Registrar
to ‘give notice’ – so if that’s the route you decide to take, make
sure you still speak to the register office as soon as you know
where you’re ceremony will be. You’ll also need to speak to them if
your beloved is subject to any immigration controls.
"There seems to be such a lot to take in, but it really is quite
easy once you’ve spoken to the Registrar. In Cheshire East they
have a dedicated team for Civil Partnership ceremonies which made
us feel very welcome and at ease. They guided us through all the
different aspects of booking the registrar, giving notice, and the
ceremony itself.
"As I said before, once you’ve decided on your date and venue,
make sure the next phone call you make is to the Registrar.
"Finally, enjoy planning your day!"