Part 2Civil partnership: England and Wales

Chapter 1Registration

The standard procedure

8Notice of proposed civil partnership and declaration

F1(1)

For two people to register as civil partners of each other under the standard procedure a notice of proposed civil partnership must be given—

(a)

if the proposed civil partners have resided in the area of the same registration authority for the period of 7 days immediately before the giving of the notice, by each of them to that registration authority;

(b)

if the proposed civil partners have not resided in the area of the same registration authority for that period, by each of them to the registration authority in whose area he or she has resided for that period.

(2)

A notice of proposed civil partnership must contain such information as may be prescribed by regulations.

(3)

A notice of proposed civil partnership must also include the necessary declaration, made and signed by the person giving the notice—

(a)

at the time when the notice is given, and

(b)

in the presence of an authorised person;

and the authorised person must attest the declaration by adding his name, description and place of residence.

(4)

The necessary declaration is a solemn declaration in writing—

(a)

that the proposed civil partner believes that there is no impediment of kindred or affinity or other lawful hindrance to the formation of the civil partnership;

F2(b)

that the proposed civil partners have for the period of 7 days immediately before the giving of the notice had their usual places of residence in the area of the registration authority, or in the areas of the registration authorities, to which notice is given.

F3(c)

that the proposed civil partner believes all of the information stated in the notice, and all information and evidence supplied with the notice, is true.

(5)

Where a notice of proposed civil partnership is given to a registration authority in accordance with this section, the registration authority must ensure that the following information is recorded in the register as soon as possible—

(a)

the fact that the notice has been given and the information in it;

(b)

the fact that the authorised person has attested the declaration.

F4(5A)

Subsection (5) is subject to section 9F.

(6)

“Authorised person” means an employee or officer or other person provided by a registration authority who is authorised by that authority to attest notices of proposed civil partnership.

(7)

For the purposes of this Chapter, a notice of proposed civil partnership is recorded when subsection (5) is complied with.