Civil partnerships

Planning your day

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. 

Fill out our marriage and civil partnership enquiry form if you would like to speak to us about your arrangements.

Notice period

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​?

• The best way is to make an appointment (link opens in new window) and we will see you in person.
• You can also post your original completed civil partnership notice forms along with relevant documents, to: Registration, Belfast City Hall, Belfast BT1 5GS. Make sure you have the correct postage for your documents, or we may not receive them.

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. 

Book an appointment

Documents needed to form a civil partnership

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.

• Visit nidirect to download a civil partnership notice form

If you're a non-EEA citizen, read nidirect's information on registering civil partnerships in Northern Ireland. (link opens in new window)

Essential documents

You and your partner should provide the following documents when you return your civil partnership notice forms:

• your full (long version) birth certificate
• your passport or national identity card - the Registrar can advise on alternatives if you do not hold either of these
• a consent form (if you are 16 or 17 years old) - these are available from the registrar
• if you have entered into a civil partnership before, a court order of dissolution for that partnership
• if you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved, a certificate of divorce or annulment or a certified copy decree (decrees must be absolute or final)
• if you have been married more than once, only the documents for your most recent marriage are required
• if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner, the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner.

Presenting your original documents

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 to 12.20pm, at City Hall. Select the ‘short appointments’ option on the form and then 'civil ceremony final appointment' from the list when booking.

Book an appointment

Once you have completed your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with further information about your appointment. If you don’t receive this, check your junk mail folder.

If you have any issues booking online, 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.

Fees

Convert civil partnership to marriage

From 7 December 2020 to 6 December 2023, couples in a same-sex civil partnership or opposite sex marriage can change their civil partnership to a marriage or marriage into a civil partnership.

Read more and book an appointment.

More information

Visit nidirect for more guidance on civil partnerships.