Civil Partnership

The following information gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.

A civil partnership may be registered by a:

• District Registrar or an Assistant Registrar
• a religious or belief celebrant who has been authorised by the Registrar General for that purpose or whose religious or belief body has been prescribed in regulations under the Civil Partnership Act 2004

You can register your civil partnership in:

• your local registration office
• any place in Scottish Borders agreed by the couple and Registrar

The registration of a civil partnership by a religious or belief celebrant may take place anywhere agreed between the celebrant and the couple.

Who can register a civil partnership in Scotland?

Any two people, regardless of where they live, may register a civil partnership in Scotland as long as they meet the criteria as highlighted in the Registering a civil partnership in Scotland RCP1.

The National Records of Scotland website provides full guidance on Registering civil partnership in Scotland.

Booking your civil partnership

It’s important to make early arrangements for the date, time and place of your civil partnership registration and ceremony. 

Civil Partnership notices can be submitted in person by making an appointment to attend the registration office or alternatively you can arrange to post them with the appropriate documents and fee.

You can make an appointment by phoning 0300 100 1800 or visiting any contact centre or library contact centre.