Civil partnership is a written contract, which means you do not have to make verbal 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 Modern civil partnership ceremony script below, with the words in italics that the couple will repeat after the registrar:
WELCOME
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) and I am a deputy superintendent registrar for Islington and City of London. I will conduct the ceremony, and (Second registrar’s name), the registrar, will complete the schedule, which is the legal record of the civil partnership.
This place where in which we are now met has been duly sanctioned according to law for the signing and celebration of civil partnerships.
We are here today to witness the union of (Partner 1) and (Partner 2), who would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate the beginning of their new life together as civil partners.
You have come to be with them today and it means a great deal to them that you can be here to share in their happiness and witness their civil partnership vows.
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), the purpose of this ceremony is that you may declare your love and support of each other.
Partnership means making a commitment. It means developing and maintaining co-operation, friendship and mutual respect. It calls for trust, understanding and encouragement.
But more than this, civil partnership is also intended to provide the love and friendship, help and comfort which each ought to have for the other, both in times of joy and in times of hardship.
1ST READING (OPTIONAL)
Please can I call forward (Reader 1’s name) with their reading.
[READING]
Thank you (Reader 1), you may take your seat.
VOWS 1 (OPTIONAL)
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), have found in each other happiness, fulfilment, and love.
They now wish to affirm their relationship and to offer to each other the security, which comes from a civil partnership, which is legally binding, and the joy which comes from vows, sincerely made and faithfully kept.
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), you have gathered about you those whom you love most. You have invited them here to give their encouragement and support, and to celebrate with you at this special time.
(Partner 1), please repeat after me:
I, (Partner 1), declare that I know of no legal reason why I may not register as (Partner 2)’s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document I will be forming a civil partnership with (Partner 2).
(Partner 2), please repeat after me:
I (Partner 2) declare that I know of no legal reason why I may not register as (Partner 1)’s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document I will be forming a civil partnership with (Partner 1).
2ND READING (OPTIONAL)
Please can I call forward (Reader 2’s name) with their reading.
[READING]
Thank you (Reader 2), you may take your seat.
VOWS 2 (OPTIONAL)
Now that you have both declared that you are free to form a civil partnership, we have come to the part of the ceremony where you are about to make your vows to each other. Please face each other for these words and hold hands.
(Partner 1), please repeat after me:
I, (Partner 1) take you (Partner 2), to be my civil partner. I promise to be loving, faithful and loyal to you for the rest of our lives together.
(Partner 2), please repeat after me:
I, (Partner 2) take you (Partner 1) to be my civil partner. I promise to be loving, faithful and loyal to you for the rest of our lives together.
PERSONAL VOWS (OPTIONAL)
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), you have chosen to make personal vows to each other on this special day.
(Partner 1), would you please read your vows to (Partner 2).
[PERSONAL VOW]
(Partner 2), would you please read your vows to (Partner 1).
[PERSONAL VOW]
RINGS (OPTIONAL)
A ring is an unbroken circle, it has no beginning and no end. It symbolises unending and everlasting love and is an outward sign of the lifelong promise you have made to each other.
(Ring bearer’s name), please could you come forward with the rings? Please give the ring for (Partner 2) to (Partner 1).
(Partner 1), please place the ring partway onto (Partner 2)’s finger and repeat after me:
(Partner 2), I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love. May this ring remind you always of the words we have spoken today.
(Ring bearer), please could you give the ring for (Partner 1) to (Partner 2)?
(Partner 2), please place the ring partway onto (Partner 1)’s finger and repeat after me:
(Partner 1), I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love. May this ring remind you always of the words we have spoken today.
3RD READING (OPTIONAL)
Please can I call forward (Reader 3’s name) with their reading.
[READING]
Thank you (Reader 3), you may take your seat.
SIGNING OF THE SCHEDULE
Please can I ask the couple to come over to the table to sign the schedule, which will be the legal record of their civil partnership?
[COUPLE SIGN]
Can I ask the two witnesses to please come forward to sign the schedule?
[WITNESSES SIGN]
[REGISTRAR SIGNS]
PRONOUNCEMENT
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), you have now signed the Civil Partnership Schedule that is required by law and you have made solemn promises to one another in the presence of your family and friends, your witnesses, the registrar and myself. It now gives me great pleasure to declare that you are legal civil partners.
Congratulations! You may now kiss each other!
CONCLUSION
On behalf of myself and (Second registrar), we would like to congratulate you both and wish you a long and happy life together.
Guests, if you would please like to be upstanding, and put your hands together to congratulate (couple’s names as they have asked to be declared on the pre-ceremony organiser)!
[COUPLE EXITS, FOLLOWED BY THE GUESTS]