Civil Partnerships

The introduction of the Civil Partnership (Jersey) Law 2012 means that civil partners will be treated so far as possible in the same way as married couples.

How do I enter into a civil partnership?
If you want to enter into a civil partnership in Jersey you will need a licence, issued by the Superintendent Registrar. If you are not a Jersey resident, you will need to make special preparations to plan your civil partnership in Jersey.

How do I get a licence for civil partnership?
Arranging a civil partnership from outside Jersey

How old do I have to be before I can enter into a civil partnership?
You cannot enter into a civil partnership in Jersey if you are under the age of 16. If you are aged between 16 and 18 you'll need written consent from each of your parents or guardians. If your parents or guardians live in Jersey they'll have to give their consent in the presence of the Superintendent Registrar. If they live outside Jersey they'll need to fill in a special form, which is provided by the Superintendent Registrar.

We are a heterosexual couple. Can we enter into a civil partnership with each other?
No. Civil partnerships are only for couples in same sex relationships.

I am not a UK citizen. Can I enter into a civil partnership in Jersey?
If you (or your partner) are not United Kingdom citizens or citizens of member states of the EEA, you need to make sure that the laws in your own country are observed, so that your civil partnership in Jersey is recognised in your own country. You should seek the advice of the consul for your own country. If you are a citizen from outside the European Union or European Economic Area, and you wish to enter into a civil partnership with a British citizen, you should make sure your immigration status allows you to do so. You must also check that you have the necessary immigration clearance before coming to Jersey.

When to contact us and what information we need
It is advisable to start the process at least 2 months, if not longer, before the date of your civil partnership ceremony. This will allow time for the exchanges of correspondence that are required. The initial arrangements can be made by email or by standard letter (we need the request in writing) but the payment of fees and the delivery of documentation are necessarily all done by post.

When you contact us, please provide the following details (for both you and your partner):
• Your full names
• Your address/es
• When you would like to have your civil partnership ceremony
• Where you would like to have your civil partnership ceremony

Fees and documents
Please do not send any money or documents with your initial enquiry. We can only process the payment for each stage of arranging your civil partnership when you reach that particular stage and we have no means of refunding a notice or licence fee if something were to happen to your arrangements.

You will have to complete a 'notice of civil partnership' form (provided by the Superintendent Registrar once we have received your £100 booking fee), which you must return to us about 1 month before the date of your civil partnership ceremony. Once the 'notice of civil partnership form', the appropriate fee and all relevant paperwork have been received, the Superintendent Registrar will enter the details into the civil partnership notice book and display your name and your partner's on the notice board outside the Register Office. The fee for giving notice is £60.

Collecting your licence
The law requires a minimum period of 14 clear days between the giving of notice and the civil partnership ceremony. 3 working days before the civil partnership, you will need to collect your licence for civil partnership. This is issued by the Superintendent Registrar.

You will have been told of the date you need to collect your licence in the standard reply to your enquiry. It is important to understand that this is the date by which you must have arrived in Jersey.

Once the licence is issued, you will need to take it to the registrar of the parish in which your civil partnership will take place. If your civil partnership is taking place in the Register Office or any other venue in St Helier, you will take it directly to the registrar for St Helier at 3 Vine Street, St Helier.  If you are to hold your civil partnership ceremony in one of the country parishes, you will take the licence for civil partnership to that parish's registrar. The Superintendent Registrar will ask you to make contact with him or her when you make the initial appointment.

The parish registrar will take the licence for civil partnership from you and use it to prepare the documents, including your civil partnership registration document, which will be at your civil partnership ceremony.  He or she will also enter your civil partnership in the civil partnership register. The fee to the parish registrar is £40.

The Superintendent Registrar will usually arrange for the collection of your licence 3 working days before your civil partnership ceremony (unless there is a bank holiday involved).  A licence can be issued up to 14 days before the civil partnership ceremony but only after at least 7 days of the notice period have passed.

Once you have your licence for civil partnership you can hold your civil partnership ceremony in one of the approved premises in the Island.

How do I get a licence for civil partnership?
Once you've decided on the date you would like to have your civil partnership ceremony in the Register Office, or in other approved premises, you should go to the Register Office to make a booking.  If you don't live in Jersey, you should write to the Superintendent Registrar preferably by email.

Documents needed to get a licence for civil partnership
To get a licence for civil partnership, you and your partner will each need to provide the following documents:

• Your full birth certificate, which must include your parents' details 
• Your divorce Decree Absolute, if you have been married before; or
• Your decree of dissolution of civil partnership if you have previously been in a civil partnership
• The death certificate of your late spouse or civil partner, if you have been widowed or your civil partner has died
• Change of name documents if applicable
• Translations into English if any of the above documents is in a language other than English or French

All these documents must be originals or certified copies issued by a Register Office or court (photocopies, scans or certificates which have been laminated are not acceptable). If your birth was registered in England and Wales you can apply to get a replacement online.

Order English / Welsh birth certificates from the General Register Office website

All documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an officially certified English translation (i.e. the Superintendent Registrar needs to see both the original document and the translation).  If you've changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration, you must bring that document.

How much does it cost to get a licence for civil partnership?
Please note that approved premises may have extra charges. All fees and charges are subject to regular increases. (continued on the next page)

How do I pay?
Cheques should be made payable to 'The Treasurer of the States' and be in pounds sterling drawn on a British bank.

Fees are levied at each stage of arranging your civil partnership ceremony and can not be paid in advance.  The Superintendent Registrar has no means of refunding a notice or licence fee if something were to happen to your arrangements.