Civil Partnerships
A civil partnership is a legal commitment formed by 2 people either of the same sex or opposite sex. This gives them the ability to have legal recognition for their relationship.
Couples who form a civil partnership will -
- have the legal status of being civil partners
- be treated equally in a wide range of legal matters, the same as those who enter into a marriage
To form a civil partnership in the UK, both partners must -
- not be in a civil partnership or marriage already
- be 16 years of age or older in England and Wales. Individuals aged 16 or 17 need written consent from their parents or legal guardians
- not be closely related