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 Romantic 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.
Civil partnership is a desire by two people to share themselves and their experiences with each other and a willingness to accept each other for who they are.
It means making a commitment to developing co-operation, friendship, and mutual respect. It calls for honesty, patience, and of course humour! Partnership is where each partner cares for the other, and supports them in all that they do.
It demands courage, the courage to be open, the courage to grow and change, and the courage to sort out together, the tasks of everyday living.
Partnership requires closeness and distance, closeness for a couple growing together and enough distance to allow each partner to be individual. A good partner will be loving, caring, and above all a best friend.
It is in this spirit that (Partner 1) and (Partner 2) are now before us. In each other’s company they have found happiness, fulfilment and love. They now wish to affirm their relationship with this civil partnership.
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), we celebrate with you today. We are glad to join with you in the solemnization of your partnership, to witness your vows and to support your intentions for your future life together.
We now come to the solemn moment when this couple will make their vows to each other.
(Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name), 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’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).
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.
I ask you now in the presence of this company:
(Partner 1), will you take (Partner 2), to be your civil partner, to be loving, to be faithful and to be loyal to them for the rest of your lives together?
Partner 1: I will.
(Partner 2), will you take (Partner 1), to be your civil partner, to be loving, to be faithful and to be loyal to them for the rest of your lives together?
Partner 2: I will.
(Partner 1), please repeat after me:
I, (Partner 1), take you (Partner 2), to be my civil partner. Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives. I choose to spend today, and all of my tomorrows, with you.
(Partner 2), please repeat after me:
I, (Partner 2), take you (Partner 1), to be my civil partner. Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives. I choose to spend today, and all of my tomorrows, with you.
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. It symbolises the promises I have made to you and the choice that I’ve made to share my life with you.
(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. It symbolises the promises I have made to you and the choice that I’ve made to share my life with you.
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]
[REGISTRARS SIGN]
PRONOUNCEMENT
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), this day is the start of a new life for you together. We hope that the feelings of love that you have for each other will deepen and grow ever stronger throughout the years to come.
You have now signed the Civil Partnership Schedule that is required by law and you have made your own 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 legally 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]