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Deciding between civil partnership and marriage
We can provide no advice or guidance for couples when choosing between a civil partnership and marriage.
GOV.UK provides information on the differences between marriage and civil partnership.
Couples are advised to seek independent legal advice, especially as there may be issues with the recognition of their relationship in some countries.
Register a civil partnership
Please see Marriages and Civil Partnerships (GOV.UK) for detailed information about registering a civil partnership.
Giving notice of civil partnership
It is a legal requirement to give notice of a civil partnership. Please note this applies only to those living in England and Wales. Carefully read the following 4 options that fit your circumstances:
- If both you and your partner are British / Irish nationals then you must both give at least 28 clear days' notice at the register office for the local authority where you live (this will mean if you live in different districts then you will need to go separately to the appropriate register offices).
- If both you and your partner re enrolled enrolled on the European Settlement scheme with settled or pre-settled status or have an application pending made before 30 June 2021; then you must both give at least 28 clear days' notice at the register office for the local authority where you live (this will mean if you live in different districts then you will need to go separately to the appropriate register offices).
- If you are British or Irish and your partner is enrolled on the European Settlement scheme with settled or pre-settled status or have an application pending made before 30th June 2021; then you must both give at least 28 clear days' notice at the register office for the local authority where you live (this will mean if you live in different districts then you will need to go separately to the appropriate register offices).
- If both you or your partner have indefinite leave to remain; then you must give at least 28 clear days' notice together at the register office for the local authority where one or both of you live (this will mean if you live in different districts then you will need to go together to one of those register offices).
If you or your partner are subject to immigration control, that is where at least one of you are:
- not British or Irish
- without indefinite leave to remain or indefinite leave to enter
- have not enrolled on the European Settlement scheme with settled or pre- settled status or have an application pending made before 30th June 2021
- have not acquired a visa to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK
- other exemption from immigration control
you must give notice together at the register office for the local authority where one or both of you live (this will mean if you live in different districts then you will need to go together to one of those register offices). You both will be referred to Home Office Immigration under the 'referral and investigation' scheme. This may mean that you may have your notice period extended from 28 to 70 days if the Home Office has reasonable grounds to investigate their circumstances and will increase the fee per person from £35.00 to £47.00.
Fees for giving notice
Standard hours fee per notice: £35.00 or £47.00. So for a couple giving notice the fee would be: £70.00 or £94.00.
Out of hours supplement fee per notice: £10.00
(Standard hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-15:30)
Appointments
Appointments are available at Merton Register Office from Monday to Wednesday between 9.30am - 4.00pm (except the 3 Thursday of the month) and occasional weekends.
To book an appointment please telephone 020 8274 5777.
What should we take to our notice appointment?
To reduce the number of documents are staff are required to handle please scan or take high quality photos of your documents and e-mail copies these to register.office@merton.gov.uk once you have booked an appointment.
You must also bring the original documents with you.
You must each bring the following original documents to your notice appointment:
- your current valid passport
- proof of address this must be one of the following:
| Item | Validity period |
|---|---|
| Utility bill | Must be dated within the last three months |
| Bank statement | Must be dated within the last month |
| Council Tax bill | Must be dated within the last year |
| Mortgage Statement | Must be dated within the last year |
| Driving licence | Must be valid and in date. |
the name and address of your marriage or civil partnership venue
Other original documents you must bring, depending on your circumstances:
| Your Circumstances | What to bring |
|---|---|
| You or your partner are enrolled on the European Settlement scheme with settled or pre-settled status or have an application pending made before 30 June 2021. | - A share code to evidence your status. Acquired by visiting view and prove your immigration status. |
| You or your partner are not British, Irish or enrolled on the European Settlement scheme with settled or pre-settled status or have an application pending made before 30 June 2021. | - 1 Passport sized photo for each of you |
Divorced or dissolved civil partnership
| - final divorce or dissolution document, please note that an electronic copy will only be accepted if we can see that it originated from the court that issued it - marriage or civil partnership certificate - if documents are not in English, a full English translation by a third party, including translator's details and signature. please note that non UK issued divorces are subject to extra fees for us to clear. |
| Widowed or are a surviving civil partner | - spouse or civil partner's death certificate - marriage or civil partnership certificate. |
| Changed name | - proof of name change. |
| Under 18 | - completed parental consent form; collect one from us before your notice appointment. |
Ceremonies
Bookings for civil partnership ceremonies at Merton Register Office can be made up to one year in advance. To secure the date and time you require you can either book in person or telephone the Merton Register Office.
Fees for civil partnership certificates
If the event occurred in Merton we can produce copies of certificates for the following fees:
| Service | Cost | Postage - Recorded | Postage - Special | Postage - European | Postage - Worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At formation | £11.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Standard 5 day | £11.00 | £2.50 | £8.00 | £10.00 | £11.00 |
| 24 hour | £35.00 | £2.50 | £8.00 | £10.00 | £11.00 |
| 1 hour | £45.00 | Collection only | |||
Order a civil partnership certificate
Changing your name in your passport
You can apply for a change to your name in your passport prior to forming your civil partnership, if directly affected by the partnership, by completing the appropriate form. The minister of religion or superintendent registrar, whomever is conducting your ceremony, will need to complete the form. If we at the register office need to complete it, we can do so free of charge if posted to us or £35.00 in person.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm, except for the third Thursday of every month when the office closes at 12.30pm.
Christmas and New Year opening hours
- Monday 25 December 2023 - Closed
- Tuesday 26 December 2023 - Closed
- Wednesday 27 December 2023 - Normal Hours
- Thursday 28 December 2023 - Normal Hours
- Friday 29 December 2023 - Normal Hours
- Monday 1 January 2024 - Closed
- Tuesday 2 January onwards - Normal Hours
Contact us
Merton Register Office
Morden Park House
Morden Park
London Road
Morden
SM4 5QU
Email: register.office@merton.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8274 5777