Convert a civil partnership into a marriage

If you had your same-sex civil partnership in England or Wales, or overseas in a consulate or armed forces base (where the civil partnership was registered according to the laws of England and Wales) you can convert your civil partnership to marriage.

There is no provision in law to convert an opposite-sex civil partnership into a marriage.

Types of conversions

There are two options to convert your civil partnership into a marriage.

Single-stage process

The single-stage process is when the conversion takes place in one appointment at the register office.

• You must both attend an appointment, in person at a register office
• You will need proof of identity, proof of address and your civil partnership certificate
• The conversion happens when a couple signs a declaration that they have not dissolved their civil partnership and both want to convert it to marriage
• The declaration must be signed at the register office
• The conversion will be registered and a marriage certificate issued

Two-stage process

The two-stage process allows you to have an additional renewal of vows ceremony. The legal preliminaries must first be completed during an interview at the Register Office, and then the conversion is finalised as part of the renewal of vows ceremony.

• You must both attend an appointment, in person at a register office to prepare the declaration
• You will need proof of identity, address and copies of your civil partnership certificate
• The conversion happens when a couple signs a declaration that they have not dissolved their civil partnership and both want to convert it to marriage
• The declaration can be signed and brought into effect, on a separate occasion at an approved venue or a religious building which has been registered for the marriage of same sex couples
• A Superintendent Registrar will be required to attend and a fee will be charged
• The conversion will be registered and a marriage certificate issued

Documents for your appointment

You must each bring the following to your conversion appointment.

Evidence of your identity and date of birth:

• Valid passport
• Valid EEA identity card
• Valid travel document issued in the United Kingdom
• Full and valid UK driving licence with photograph
• Valid biometric residence permit

Evidence of your civil partnership:

• Your civil partnership certificate.

Proof of address:

• Utility bill dated no more than three months before the date of the appointment
• Bank or building society statement dated no more than one month before the date of the appointment
• Council Tax bill dated no more than one year before the date of the appointment
• Valid UK driving licence (full licence issued in the United Kingdom)

All documents must be original, not photocopies or printouts. If you do not produce these documents, we are unable to proceed with your appointment.

Fees

• The single stage process costs £50
• The two stage process costs £30 plus the ceremony fee (costs vary)
• Certificates cost £12.50

Booking

To book, please call the Register Office on 020 8871 6120.