When it comes to making your relationship official, there’s more than one way to do it now. Alongside the more traditional marriage, couples can now choose to enter into a civil partnership if they wish. Originally, civil partnerships were introduced for same-sex couples to give them the same legal rights as married couples. However, at the end of 2019, it became legal for opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership too (and same-sex couples are also able to marry). So now that both choices are available to everyone, what are the differences between the two?
The ceremony
Technically, a civil partnership is formed by the couple signing a civil partnership document with a registrar and two witnesses present. A marriage requires vows and the signing of the marriage register.
Other than the technicalities, a civil ceremony cannot have any religious elements to it, either in the vows, readings or location.
When it comes to the rest of the ceremony, it can be anything you want. You can still have the beautiful wedding dress and wedding bow ties, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and the whole shebang.
If you’re not religious and would prefer that there were no religious connotations to your relationship, then a civil partnership might be better for you.
Legal status
In the UK, a couple who has entered into a civil partnership has the same legal rights and protections as a married couple. However, you can not legally refer to yourselves as married on any legal documentation. This shouldn’t really be an issue as almost all legal forms you need to fill in will say something like ‘in a marriage or civil partnership.’
Conversion to marriage
Same-sex couples who entered into a civil partnership before same-sex marriage was legal can convert their civil partnership to a marriage if they want to. However, an opposite-sex couple can’t do this. If you later decide that you want to be married, you will have to dissolve your civil partnership and remarry.
Mr & Mr(s)?
In both marriage and civil ceremonies, you will have to decide if you’re going to change your names and title. Technically, when a woman is married, she is automatically known as Mrs, whether or not she changes her last name.
When it comes to a civil partnership, you can choose to do whatever you want with your name and may want to change to Mrs to signify you’re in a partnership.
Divorce
If you decide to separate, marriage is legally ended by a divorce and a civil partnership through a dissolution. They are basically exactly the same process.
Final thoughts
On a legal level, there are no differences between entering into a civil partnership or getting married. It really is up to you and your partner to decide which one is right for you. When it comes to your big day, you can still choose to have a small ceremony, with just witnesses in attendance or have a big lavish event. The choice is yours!
