Civil partnership is a written contract, which means you do not have to make legal vows to each other, you can just sign the schedule with your witnesses if you prefer, although we always offer our couples the choice of a ceremony or a simple signing.

 

Please see the simple civil partnership ceremony script below, with the words in italics that the couple will repeat after the registrar:

 

‘Good morning/afternoon everybody, and on behalf of (Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name) I would like to extend a warm welcome to (name of the venue).

My name is (Registrar’s name); I will conduct the ceremony, and (Registrar’s name) will complete the schedule, which is the legal record of the civil partnership.

You have shared in their lives in the past, and by witnessing their civil partnership today, (Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name) ask you to share in their future.

It is a formal and public pledge of your love, and a promise of lifelong commitment to one another.

However, if any person here present knows of any impediment to this civil partnership, they should now declare it.

[READING 1 (OPTIONAL)]

(Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name), before you are joined in this civil partnership it is my duty to remind you both of the solemn and binding character of this union.

Please repeat after me:

I, (Partner 1’s name), declare that I know of no legal reason why I may not register as (Partner 2’s name)’s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document I will be forming a civil partnership with (Partner 2’s name).

I (Partner 2’s name) declare that I know of no legal reason why I may not register as (Partner 2’s name)’s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document I will be forming a civil partnership with (Partner 1’s name).

[PERSONAL VOWS (OPTIONAL)]

[READING 2 (OPTIONAL)]

[RINGS (OPTIONAL)]

A ring is the ancient and traditional way of sealing the contract you have just made.  It is an unbroken circle, which symbolises unending and everlasting love, and is an outward sign of the lifelong promise you’ve just made to each other.

Please repeat after me:

(Partner 2’s name) I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion.

(Partner 1’s name), I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion.

[READING 3 (OPTIONAL)]

We have now come to the signing of the Civil Partnership Schedule.

[SIGNING OF THE SCHEDULE]

Now that you have both signed as required by the law of this country, and made a solemn and binding commitment in the presence of your witnesses, it gives me great pleasure to declare that you are now legally civil partners!

Congratulations! You may now kiss each other!’

[COUPLE DECLARED AS THEY HAVE ASKED TO BE DECLARED ON THE PRE-CEREMONY ORGANISER]