I want to change my Civil Partnership into a Marriage. How do I go about it?

You can change your civil partnership to a marriage if:-

(i)  your civil partnership was registered in the United Kingdom (UK) and has not been dissolved, annulled or ended by death or

(ii)  you have an overseas relationship registered outwith the UK which is treated as a civil partnership in UK and has not been dissolved, annulled or ended by death.

There are two ways you can do this:-

• by an administrative route (you may only select this route if your civil partnership was registered in Scotland) or
• by marriage ceremony for any couple wishing to convert their recognised civil partnership.

How do we notify our intention to change our civil partnership to a marriage?

Contact the registration office located in the district where you intend to change your partnership.  

Will the original date of our civil partnership registration be recognised?

If you change your civil partnership to a marriage, the date your civil partnership will be treated as a marriage in Scotland is detailed as follows:-

• Same sex civil partnerships registered before 5 December 2005. You will be treated as having been married from 5 December 2005.
• Same sex civil partnerships registered on/or after 5 December 2005. You will be treated as having been married from the date your civil partnership was registered
• Mixed sex civil partnerships registered before 5 December 2005. You will be treated as having been married from 5 December 2005.
• Mixed sex civil partnerships on/or after 5 December 2005.  You will be treated as having been married from the date your civil partnership was registered

Administrative route

This option is only available to couples who have registered their civil partnership in Scotland.

Please contact the registration office where you wish to convert your civil partnership.  The registrar will discuss how best to submit your application form and civil partnership registration certificate and will agree a suitable date and time for your appointment.

The application form can be downloaded from the National Records of Scotland website or obtained from a Scottish Registration Office.

By Ceremony

This option is available to all couples who have registered a recognised civil partnership.

You will need to book a place, date and time for your ceremony.  You should be aware that whether you intend to have a civil marriage ceremony solemnised by a registrar or a religious/belief ceremony solemnised by an approved celebrant, you must be law submit marriage notice forms (M10) and pay the statutory fee to the registrar in whose district you intend to be married.

The registrar must be in receipt of your completed marriage notice forms no later than 29 days before the intended marriage but it is advisable to give 10-12 weeks’ notice, to allow time to check your notices and accompanying documents and ensure there is no impediment to the proposed marriage. 

Couples converting a civil partnership do not need to provide a Certificate of No Impediment but are required to provide their civil partnership documentation.

Please follow the guidance on I Want to Get Married in Scotland.  How do I go about it?

Fees Payable

For the administrative route there is a statutory £45 fee plus a £10 fee for a copy of the marriage certificate.

Fees for marriages by ceremony will vary.  The registrar will advise you of the fees payable and the methods of payment

Further Information

Further advice can be obtained from Registration Offices or by emailing Combined Registration Services