Civil Unions Act 2012 (ACT)

Civil Unions Act 2012   

A2012-40

Republication No 8

Effective:  16 November 2025

Republication date: 16 November 2025

Last amendment made by A2025‑29

About this republication

The republished law

This is a republication of the Civil Unions Act 2012 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 16 November 2025.  It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 16 November 2025. 

The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4.

Kinds of republications

The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at type="disc">

authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies

unauthorised republications.

The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication. Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.

This republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).

Uncommenced provisions and amendments

If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol  U  appears immediately before the provision heading.  Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law are accessible on the ACT legislation register ( For more information, see the home page for this law on the register.

Modifications

If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol  M  appears immediately before the provision heading.  The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes.  For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.

Penalties

At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).

Civil Unions Act 2012

Contents

Page

Part 1      Preliminary

1            Name of Act  2

3            Dictionary  2

4            Notes  2

5Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 3

Part 2      Civil unions

Division 2.1              General

6            Civil unions—general  4

Division 2.2              Eligibility for entering into civil union

7           Eligibility criteria  4

Division 2.3              Entering into civil union

8            Notice of intention to enter into civil union  5

9            How civil union is entered into  6

10          When civil union has effect  7

Division 2.4              Ending civil union

11          How civil union ends  7

12          Ending civil union by parties  7

13          Order that termination notice not effective  9

14          Ending civil union by court order  10

Part 3      Civil union celebrants

15          Registration of civil union celebrants  11

16          Register of civil union celebrants  12

17          Cancellation of registration  13

Part 4      Notification and review of decisions

18          Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 4  14

19          Reviewable decision notices  14

20          Applications for review  14

Part 5      Miscellaneous

21          Void civil unions  15

22          Noncompliance with certain requirements  15

23          Evidence of identity and age  15

24          Personal service of termination and withdrawal notices  16

25          If personal service impracticable or impossible  17

26          Offences  18

27          Recognition of civil unions under corresponding laws  19

28          Determination of fees  20

29          Approved forms  20

30          Regulation-making power  20

Schedule 1 Reviewable decisions  21

Dictionary22

Endnotes

1            About the endnotes  23

2            Abbreviation key  23

3            Legislation history  24

4            Amendment history  25

5            Earlier republications  27

Civil Unions Act 2012

An Act to provide for civil unions, and for other purposes

Part 1Preliminary

1. Name of Act

   This Act is the Civil Unions Act 2012.

2. Dictionary

   The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.

   Note 1The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this Act, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined elsewhere in this Act.

   For example, the signpost definition ‘reviewable decision, for part 4 (Notification and review of decisions)—see section 18.’ means that the term ‘reviewable decision’ is defined in that section for part 4.

   Note 2A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to the entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).

3. Notes

   A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.

   NoteSee the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.

1. Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc

   Other legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.

   Note 1Criminal Code

   The Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to all offences against this Act (see Code, pt 2.1).

   The chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility (including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention, recklessness and strict liability).

   Note 2Penalty units

   The Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties that are expressed in penalty units.

Part 2Civil unions

Division 2.1               General

1. Civil unions—general

   (1)A civil union is a legally recognised relationship entered into under this Act.

   (2)A civil union is different to a marriage but is to be treated for all purposes under territory law in the same way as a marriage.

   Note 1Marriage is defined in the Marriage Act 1961 (Cwlth), s 5 to mean the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

   Note 2Territory law includes the common law (see Legislation Act, dict pt 1, def law).

Division 2.2               Eligibility for entering into civil union

1. Eligibility criteria

   A person may enter into a civil union only if—

   (a)the person is an adult; and

   (b)the person is not—

   (i)married; or

   (ii)in a civil union; or

   (iii)in a civil partnership with someone other than the person’s proposed civil union partner; and

   NoteA civil partnership ends if the parties to the civil partnership enter into a civil union with each other (see Domestic Relationships Act 1994, s 37H (1) (c)).

   (c)the person cannot marry the person’s proposed civil union partner under the Marriage Act 1961 (Cwlth); and

   (d)the person does not have any of the following relationships (a prohibited relationship) with the person’s proposed civil union partner:

   (i)lineal ancestor;

   (ii)lineal descendant;

   (iii)sister;

   (iv)half-sister;

   (v)brother;

   (vi)half-brother; and

   (e)the person, or the person’s proposed civil union partner, or both of them, live in the ACT.

Division 2.3               Entering into civil union

1. Notice of intention to enter into civil union

   (1)Before 2 people enter into a civil union, they must give notice to a civil union celebrant of their intention to enter into the civil union.

   NoteThe notice must be given not earlier than 18 months and not later than 1 month before the civil union is entered into (see s 9 (3)).

   (2)The notice must be accompanied by—

   (a)a statement by each person verifying—

   (i)that the person wishes to enter into a civil union with the other person; and

   (ii)that the person is not—

   (A)married; or

   (B)in a civil union; or

   (C)in a civil partnership with someone other than the other person; and

   (iii)that the person believes the person and the other person do not have a prohibited relationship; and

   (iv)where the person lives; and

   NoteIt is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, give false or misleading information or produce a false or misleading document (see Criminal Code, pt 3.4).

   (b)the evidence required under section 23 of each person’s identity and age; and

   (c)anything else prescribed by regulation.

   (3)As soon as practicable after receiving the notice and statements, the civil union celebrant must give each person a written notice setting out the nature and effect of a civil union.

2. How civil union is entered into

   (1)This section applies if 2 people have, under section 8, given notice to a civil union celebrant of their intention to enter into a civil union with each other.

   (2)The people may enter into the civil union by making a declaration before the civil union celebrant and at least 1 other witness.

   (3)The declaration must be made not earlier than 1 month, and not later than 18 months, after the day the notice was given to the civil union celebrant.

   (4)The declaration must be made by each person to the other and must contain a clear statement that—

   (a)names both parties; and

   (b)acknowledges that they are freely entering into a civil union with each other.

   Note 1For registration requirements see the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997, pt 5A (Civil unions).

   Note 2The Discrimination Act 1991, provides for exceptions from pt 3 (Unlawful discrimination) for religious bodies doing (or failing or refusing to do) certain acts (see that Act, s 4A and s 32).

3. When civil union has effect

   A civil union entered into under this part has effect when the parties to the civil union make a declaration under section 9.

Division 2.4               Ending civil union

1. How civil union ends

   (1)A civil union ends on—

   (a)the death of either party; or

   (b)the marriage of either party.

   (2)A civil union also ends if it is ended by—

   (a)a party (or both parties) under section 12; or

   (b)a court order under section 14.

2. Ending civil union by parties

   (1)If a party to a civil union wishes, or both parties to a civil union wish, to end the civil union, the party (or parties) may give the registrar-general a written notice of intention to end the civil union (a termination notice).

   (2)However, if a termination notice is given by only 1 party, the notice is effective only if—

   (a)a copy of the notice has been served personally on the other party; and

   (b)a statement declaration is given to the registrar-general with the notice that—

   (i)is made by the person who served the notice; and

   (ii)verifies the notice was served personally by the person on the other party on the date mentioned in the statement.

   Note 1For provision about service of notices, see s 24 and s 25.

   Note 2It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, give false or misleading information or produce a false or misleading document (see Criminal Code, pt 3.4).

   (3)A termination notice may, within 12 months after the day it was given to the registrar-general, be withdrawn by written notice (a withdrawal notice) given to the registrar by the party (or parties) who gave the termination notice.

   (4)However, if a withdrawal notice is given by only 1 party, the notice is effective only if—

   (a)a copy of the notice has been served personally on the other party; and

   (b)a statement is given to the registrar-general with the notice that—

   (i)is made by the person who served the notice; and

   (ii)verifies the notice was served personally by the person on the other party on the date mentioned in the statement.

   Note 1For provision about service of notices, see s 24 and s 25.

   Note 2It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, give false or misleading information or produce a false or misleading document (see Criminal Code, pt 3.4).

   (5)A civil union ends 12 months after the day the termination notice is given to the registrar-general in accordance with this section, unless—

   (a)the notice has been withdrawn under this section; or

   (b)the Supreme Court makes an order under section 13 (2); or

   (c)the operation of the notice is stayed under section 13 (3); or

   (d)the civil union has already ended under section 11 (1).

3. Order that termination notice not effective

   (1)This section applies if a party (or parties) to a civil union give the registrar-general a termination notice.

   (2)On application by a party to the civil union, the Supreme Court may make an order that the termination notice is not effective if the court considers that it is not the intention, or is no longer the intention, of the party (or parties) who gave the notice to end the civil union.

   (3)If an application mentioned in subsection (2) has been made but not decided within 12 months after the day the termination notice is given, the application stays the operation of the notice until the application is decided.

   (4)If the Supreme Court makes an order under this section, the court must give a copy of the order to the registrar-general.

4. Ending civil union by court order

   (1)On application by a party to a civil union, the Supreme Court may make an order ending the civil union if the court considers that—

   (a)the civil union cannot be ended under section 12; but

   (b)it is not the intention, or is not longer the intention, of both parties to be in the civil union.

   (2)If the Supreme Court makes an order under subsection (1), the court must give a copy of the order to the registrar-general not later than 28 days after the day the order is made.

Part 3Civil union celebrants

1. Registration of civil union celebrants

   (1)A person may apply, in writing, to the registrar-general to be registered as a civil union celebrant.

   (2)On application by a person under subsection (1), the registrar‑general may register the applicant as a civil union celebrant.

   (3)However, the registrar-general must only register a person as a civil union celebrant if satisfied that the applicant—

   (a)is an adult; and

   (b)has the knowledge and the skills or experience necessary to exercise the functions of a civil union celebrant under this Act; and

   (c)is a suitable person to be registered as a civil union celebrant.

   (4)In deciding whether a person is a suitable person to be registered as a civil union celebrant, the registrar-general must take into account the following:

   (a)whether the person has been convicted, or found guilty, in Australia of an offence punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or longer;

   (b)whether the person has been convicted, or found guilty, outside Australia of an offence that, if it had been committed in the ACT, would have been punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or longer;

   (c)whether the person has been convicted, or found guilty, of an offence against, or otherwise contravened, this Act or the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997, part 5A (Civil unions);

   (d)whether the person is or has been bankrupt or personally insolvent;

   (e)whether the person has a physical or mental incapacity that may affect the exercise of the person’s functions as a civil union celebrant.

   (5)In deciding whether a person is a suitable person to be registered as a civil union celebrant, the registrar-general may take into account anything else the registrar-general considers relevant.

2. Register of civil union celebrants

   (1)The registrar-general must keep a register of people registered as civil union celebrants under this Act.

   (2)The register may be kept in any form, including electronically, that the registrar-general decides.

   (3)The register must include the following information for each person registered as a civil union celebrant:

   (a)the person’s full name;

   (b)the person’s address and contact details;

   (c)the date the person was registered;

   (d)if the person’s registration is cancelled or the person otherwise stops being registered—the date the registration stops.

   (4)The register may also include any other information the registrar‑general considers appropriate.

   (5)The register must be available for public inspection at reasonable times.

   (6)However, a person’s address and contact details and any other information included in the register about the person under subsection (4) must only be available for public inspection if the person consents.

3. Cancellation of registration

   The registrar-general may cancel a person’s registration as a civil union celebrant if the registrar-general is satisfied that the person does not meet, or no longer meets, the registration criteria under section 15 (3).

Part 4Notification and review of decisions

1. Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 4

   In this part:

   reviewable decision means a decision mentioned in schedule 1, column 3 under a provision of this Act mentioned in column 2 in relation to the decision.

2. Reviewable decision notices

   If the registrar-general makes a reviewable decision, the registrar must give a reviewable decision notice to each entity mentioned in schedule 1, column 4 in relation to the decision.

   NoteThe registrar-general must also take reasonable steps to give a reviewable decision notice to any other person whose interests are affected by the decision (see ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008, s 67A).

3. Applications for review

   The following may apply to the ACAT for review of a reviewable decision:

   (a)an entity mentioned in schedule 1, column 4 in relation to the decision;

   (b)any other person whose interests are affected by the decision.

Part 5Miscellaneous

1. Void civil unions

   A civil union is void if—

   (a)either party did not meet the eligibility criteria under section 7 when the declaration for the civil union was made under section 9; or

   (b)either party did not freely enter into the civil union because—

   (i)the party’s agreement to enter into the civil union was obtained by duress or fraud; or

   (ii)the party was mistaken about the identity of the other party or the nature of the declaration under section 9; or

   (iii)the party was mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the civil union.

2. Noncompliance with certain requirements

   (1)A civil union is not invalid only because a requirement of section 8 (Notice of intention to enter into civil union) was not complied with.

   (2)A civil union is not invalid only because the person to whom the parties gave notice under section 8, or before whom the parties made the declaration under section 9, was not a civil union celebrant if either party believed, when giving the notice or making the declaration, that the person was a civil union celebrant.

3. Evidence of identity and age

   (1)For section 8 (2) (b) (Notice of intention to enter into civil union), the evidence of identity and age required for each person is—

   (a)the person’s birth certificate; or

   (b)the person’s citizenship certificate; or

   (c)the person’s current passport; or

   (d)a statement by the person verifying—

   (i)that it is impracticable to obtain a document mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c); and

   (ii)to the best of the person’s knowledge and belief, and as accurately as the person has been able to find out, when and where the person was born.

   NoteIt is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, give false or misleading information or produce a false or misleading document (see Criminal Code, pt 3.4).

   (2)In this section:

   birth certificate, for a person, means the person’s birth certificate, or a certified extract about the person’s birth from the register, under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997 or a corresponding law of a State, external territory or foreign country.

   citizenship certificate, for a person, means a certificate, declaration, notice or other instrument of a person’s nationality under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cwlth) or the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 (Cwlth) (repealed).

1. Personal service of termination and withdrawal notices

   (1)This section applies if a termination notice or withdrawal notice must be served personally on a party to a civil union under section 12 (Ending civil union by parties).

   (2)To serve the notice personally on the party, the person serving the notice must—

   (a)give the party a copy of the notice; or

   (b)if the party does not accept the copy—put the copy down in the party’s presence and tell the party in general terms what it is; or

   (c)if the person serving the notice is prevented from approaching the party by violence or threat of violence—put the copy down as near as practicable to, but in the sight of, the party.

2. If personal service impracticable or impossible

   (1)This section applies if—

   (a)a termination notice or withdrawal notice must be served personally on a party to a civil union under section 12; and

   (b)personal service of the notice is not practicable.

   (2)The person serving the notice may apply to the Supreme Court for an order allowing the notice to be served in another way (the alternative way).

   (3)The Supreme Court may make an order if satisfied that—

   (a)it is not practicable, for any reason, for the notice to be served personally under section 24; and

   (b)the alternative way is reasonably likely to bring the notice to the attention of the party.

   (4)If the Supreme Court makes an order, the court may, in the order, provide that the notice is taken to have been served on the happening of a stated event, at a stated time or at the end of a stated period.

   (5)The Supreme Court may make an order under subsection (3) even though the party is not in the ACT or Australia.

   (6)For section 12, if a notice is served on a party in accordance with an order under subsection (3), the notice is taken to have been served personally on the party.

3. Offences

   (1)A civil union celebrant commits an offence if—

   (a)the celebrant allows a civil union, or purported civil union, to be entered into before the celebrant; and

   (b)the notice required under section 8 (including the statement and anything else required under that section) for the civil union—

   (i)has not been given to the celebrant; or

   (ii)was not given to the celebrant within the period allowed by section 9 (3).

   Maximum penalty:  50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both.

   (2)A civil union celebrant commits an offence if the celebrant—

   (a)allows a civil union, or purported civil union, to be entered into before the celebrant; and

   (b)has reasonable grounds to believe that the civil union would be void under section 21.

   Maximum penalty:  50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both.

   (3)A person commits an offence if the person—

   (a)is not registered as a civil union celebrant; and

   (b)knows he or she is not registered as a civil union celebrant; and

   (c)performs a function of a civil union celebrant under this Act.

   Maximum penalty:  50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both.

   (4)A person commits an offence if—

   (a)the person makes a declaration mentioned in section 9 with the intention of entering into a civil union with someone else (the person’s partner); and

   (b)the declaration is made before a person (the celebrant) who is not a civil union celebrant; and

   (c)the person knows the celebrant is not a civil union celebrant; and

   (d)the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the person’s partner believes that the celebrant is a civil union celebrant.

   Maximum penalty:  50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both.

   NoteThe Criminal Code includes offences for giving false or misleading information etc to a person exercising a function under a territory law (see pt 3.4 (False or misleading statements, information and documents)).

4. Recognition of civil unions under corresponding laws

   (1)A corresponding law relationship is a civil union for territory law.

   (2)A relationship is a corresponding law relationship if it—

   (a)complies with subsection (3); or

   (b)is a relationship under a law of a State, external territory or foreign country prescribed by regulation.

   (3)A relationship complies with this subsection if—

   (a)either—

   (i)the people in the relationship may not marry each other under the Marriage Act 1961 (Cwlth); or

   (ii)the relationship is not recognised as a valid marriage under that Act; and

   (b)it is registered or formally recognised under a law of a State, external territory or foreign country that provides for the registration or formal recognition of a relationship that meets the following requirements:

   (i)it must be between 2 adults;

   (ii)it must be entered into consensually;

   (iii)it must not be entered into by people who are in a prohibited relationship with each other;

   (iv)it must not be entered into by a person who is already married;

   (v)it must not be entered into by a person who is already in a relationship that is registered or formally recognised under that law.

5. Determination of fees

   (1)The Minister may determine fees for this Act.

   (2)A determination is a disallowable instrument.

6. Approved forms

   (1)The registrar-general may approve forms for this Act.

   (2)If the registrar-general approves a form for a particular purpose, the approved form must be used for that purpose.

   (3)An approved form is a notifiable instrument.

7. Regulation-making power

   The Executive may make regulations for this Act.

Schedule 1Reviewable decisions

(see pt 4)

column 1 item	column 2 section	column 3 decision	column 4 entity
1	15	refuse to register person as civil union celebrant	applicant for registration
2	17	cancel a person’s registration as civil union celebrant	person whose registration is cancelled

Dictionary

(see s 3)

Note 1The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this Act.

Note 2For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:

·     ACAT

·     adult

·     bankrupt or personally insolvent

·     found guilty

·     Minister (see s 162)

·     registrar-general.

civil union celebrant means—

(a)the registrar-general; or

(b)a person who is registered under this Act as a civil union celebrant.

prohibited relationship—see section 7.

reviewable decision, for part 4 (Notification and review of decisions)—see section 18.

termination notice means a notice given under section 12 (1).

withdrawal notice means a notice given under section 12 (3).

Endnotes

1. About the endnotes

   Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history.  Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes.

   Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.

   Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law.  The details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history.  Uncommenced expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.

   If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering. 

   The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.

2. Abbreviation key

A = Act	NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form	o = order
am = amended	om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment	ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution	orig = original
ch = chapter	par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice	pres = present
def = definition	prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument	(prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary	pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative	r = rule/subrule
Assembly	reloc = relocated
div = division	renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired	R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette	RI = reissue
hdg = heading	s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967	sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added	sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001	SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register	sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996	underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification	or to be expired

1. Legislation history

   Civil Unions Act 2012 A2012-40

   notified LR 4 September 2012
   s 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2012 (LA s 75 (1))
   remainder commenced 11 September 2012 (s 2)

   as repealed by

   Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013 A2013-39 s 51

   notified LR 4 November 2013
   s 1, s 2 commenced 4 November 2013 (LA s 75 (1))

   s 51 commenced 7 November 2013 (s 2 and CN2013-11)

   repeal of no effect (see High Court decision of 12 December 2013 Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55)

   as amended by

   Statute Law Amendment Act 2015 (No 2) A2015‑50 sch 3 pt 3.6

   notified LR 25 November 2015
   s 1, s 2 commenced 25 November 2015 (LA s 75 (1))

   sch 3 pt 3.6 commenced 9 December 2015 (s 2)

   Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2016 A2016‑18 sch 3 pt 3.13

   notified LR 13 April 2016
   s 1, s 2 commenced 13 April 2016 (LA s 75 (1))

   sch 3 pt 3.13 commenced 27 April 2016 (s 2)

   Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017 A2017‑5 sch 1 pt 1.1

   notified LR 23 February 2017
   s 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
   sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 2 March 2017 (s 2 (3))

   Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.17, sch 4 pt 4.30

   notified LR 6 November 2025

   s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
   sch 3 pt 3.17, sch 4 pt 4.30 commenced 16 November 2025 (s 2 (1), (9))

2. Amendment history

   Commencement

   s 2om LA s 89 (4)

   Dictionary

   s 3am A2015‑50 amdt 3.48

   Eligibility criteria

   s 7am A2025‑29 amdt 3.53

   Notice of intention to enter into civil union

   s 8am A2016‑18 amdts 3.47-3.49; A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Ending civil union by parties

   s 12am A2016‑18 amdts 3.50-3.55; A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Registration of civil union celebrants

   s 15am A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Reviewable decision notices

   s 19am A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Applications for review

   s 20am A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Evidence of identity and age

   s 23am A2016‑18 amdt 3.56, amdt 3.57

   Offences

   s 26am A2016‑18 amdt 3.58, amdt 3.59

   Recognition of civil unions under corresponding laws

   s 27sub A2017‑5 amdt 1.1

   Determination of fees

   s 28am A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Approved forms

   s 29am A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Regulation-making power

   s 30am A2025‑29 amdt 4.30

   Domestic Relationships Regulation 2012—sch 2

   s 31exp 11 September 2012 (s 31 (4))

   Legislation amended—sch 3

   s 32om LA s 89 (3)

   Legislation repealed

   s 33om LA s 89 (3)

   Transitional

   pt 6 hdgexp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Definitions—pt 6

   s 100exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   def commencement day exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   def repealed Act exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Existing civil partnerships

   s 101exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Application for registration of civil partnership not decided before commencement day

   s 102exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Declaration of civil partnership not made before commencement day

   s 103exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Declared civil partnership not registered before commencement day

   s 104exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Application for termination of civil partnership not decided before commencement day

   s 105exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Applications made but not decided before commencement day

   s 106exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Existing civil partnership notaries

   s 107exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Transitional regulations

   s 108exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   Expiry—pt 6

   s 109exp 11 September 2013 (s 109)

   New Domestic Relationships Regulation 2012

   sch 2om R1 (see s 31)

   Consequential amendments

   sch 3om LA s 89 (3)

   Dictionary

   dictam A2015‑50 amdt 3.49; A2016‑18 amdt 3.60

   def reviewable decision am A2015‑50 amdt 3.50

3. Earlier republications

   Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order. 

   Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register.  A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1.  Electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical.

Republication No and date	Effective	Last amendment made by	Republication for
R1 11 Sept 2012	11 Sept 2012– 11 Sept 2012	not amended	new Act
R2 12 Sept 2012	12 Sept 2012– 11 Sept 2013	not amended	expiry of provision (s 31)
R3 12 Sept 2013	12 Sept 2013– 6 Nov 2013	not amended	expiry of transitional provisions (pt 6)
R4 7 Nov 2013	7 Nov 2013– 8 Dec 2015	not amended	repeal by A2013‑39 of no effect (see High Court decision)
R5 9 Dec 2015	9 Dec 2015– 26 Apr 2016	A2015-50	amendments by A2015-50
R6 27 Apr 2016	27 Apr 2016– 1 Mar 2017	A2016-18	amendments by A2016-18
R7 2 Mar 2017	2 Mar 2017– 15 Nov 2025	A2017‑5	amendments by A2017‑5