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We can help you organise your special day. If you plan to have your civil partnership in Belfast, it is important that you read all of the information on this page.
Please fill out our marriage and civil partnership enquiry form if you would like to speak to us about your arrangements.
If you plan to form your civil partnership in Belfast, it is important that you read this information.
You must give at least 28 days’ notice to register a civil partnership. If you don't give notice in time, you may need to postpone your civil partnership. You can give notice up to a year before the date of your civil partnership. We recommend a period of 10 to 12 weeks’ notice.
How do I give notice?
Please don’t post your original passport and birth certificate as we can accept photocopies. However, we will need to see the originals before your ceremony takes place. Call us on 028 9027 0455 to discuss and make your payment. You can also send a cheque, made payable to Belfast City Council.
Before you can form a civil partnership in Belfast, you and your partner need to complete the civil partnership notice form and produce certain documents.
If you're a non-EEA citizen, please read nidirect's information on registering civil partnerships in Northern Ireland. (link opens in new window)
You and your partner should provide the following documents when you return your civil partnership notice forms:
You will need an appointment to present your original documents and wedding day information form before your ceremony. There will be an opportunity to talk with one of the registrars and ask any questions about your day.
Appointments are available from Monday to Friday, 11am - 12.20pm, at City Hall. Please select the ‘short appointments’ option on the form and then 'civil ceremony final appointment' from the list when booking.
Once you have completed your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with further information about your appointment. If you don’t receive this, please check your junk mail folder.
If you have any issues booking online, please call us on 028 9027 0290.
If you are unable to come into City Hall, you can still present the documents on the day of your ceremony.
Civil partnership fees |
Price |
|
---|---|---|
Civil partnerships in registrar's office (Belfast City Hall) |
£180 weekdays |
|
£306 Saturdays |
||
£360 bank holidays |
||
Civil partnerships in approved venues |
£213 weekdays |
|
£280 Saturdays |
||
£312 bank holidays |
||
Civil partnerships in a venue of your choice |
£213 weekdays |
Plus £400 to apply for a temporary marriage licence |
£280 Saturdays | ||
£312 bank holidays |
New legislation came into effect on 7 December 2020, enabling couples to convert their same sex civil partnership formed in Northern Ireland to a marriage, or opposite sex marriage formed in Northern Ireland to a civil partnership.
You can make an appointment to have your conversion at City Hall, by calling the Registration Office on 028 9027 0455. Appointments are available from Monday to Thursday at 3.30pm. You need to submit your application form before your appointment.
If you would prefer to have a ceremony to sign the conversion with family and friends attending, you can book this with the Registration Office by calling 028 9027 0455. The registrar will advise you on completing your application forms and documentation needed. Ceremony fees and room hire will apply.
Ceremonies will take place under the current coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
If you have completed your appointment booking online, you will receive a confirmation email with further information about your appointment. If you don’t receive this, please check your junk or spam mail folder. If you have any issues booking online, please call us on 028 9027 0290.
Conversions don’t have to take place in the original district where the civil partnership or marriage took place.
Please complete and send your application form to us before your appointment. We will then enter your information onto our system and submit this to the General Register Office (GRO) for authorisation. This is completed beforehand so you both can sign the declaration at your appointment.
The application forms can be downloaded from the nidirect website:
Send your completed application form, including photocopies of your marriage or civil partnership certificates and photocopies of photographic ID (preferably passports), to:
Registration,
City Hall,
Belfast
BT1 5GS.
Please don’t post or drop off your original certificates or passports. You will need to bring the originals to your appointment.
You will need your civil partnership or marriage certificate for the conversion. If you need a copy of this, call the General Register Office on 030 0200 7890 or visit nidirect’s website (link opens in new window) to request a copy.
Further information on converting a marriage to civil partnership and civil partnership to marriage can be found on the nidirect website (link opens in new window).
Please visit nidirect for more guidance on civil partnerships.