Part 1Introduction

1Civil partnership

(1)A civil partnership is a relationship between two people of the same sex ("civil partners")-

(a)which is formed when they register as civil partners of each other-

(i)in England or Wales (under Part 2),

(ii)in Scotland (under Part 3),

(iii)in Northern Ireland (under Part 4), or

(iv)outside the United Kingdom under an Order in Council made under Chapter 1 of Part 5 (registration at British consulates etc. or by armed forces personnel), or

(b)which they are treated under Chapter 2 of Part 5 as having formed (at the time determined under that Chapter) by virtue of having registered an overseas relationship.

(2)Subsection (1) is subject to the provisions of this Act under or by virtue of which a civil partnership is void.

(3)A civil partnership ends only on death, dissolution or annulment.

(4)The references in subsection (3) to dissolution and annulment are to dissolution and annulment having effect under or recognised in accordance with this Act.

(5)References in this Act to an overseas relationship are to be read in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 5.

Part 2Civil partnership: England and Wales

Chapter 1Registration

Formation, eligibility and parental etc. consent

2Formation of civil partnership by registration

(1)For the purposes of section 1, two people are to be regarded as having registered as civil partners of each other once each of them has signed the civil partnership document-

(a)at the invitation of, and in the presence of, a civil partnership registrar, and

(b)in the presence of each other and two witnesses.

(2)Subsection (1) applies regardless of whether subsections (3) and (4) are complied with.

(3)After the civil partnership document has been signed under subsection (1), it must also be signed, in the presence of the civil partners and each other, by-

(a)each of the two witnesses, and

(b)the civil partnership registrar.

(4)After the witnesses and the civil partnership registrar have signed the civil partnership document, the relevant registration authority must ensure that-

(a)the fact that the two people have registered as civil partners of each other, and

(b)any other information prescribed by regulations,

is recorded in the register as soon as is practicable.

(5)No religious service is to be used while the civil partnership registrar is officiating at the signing of a civil partnership document.

(6)"The civil partnership document" has the meaning given by section 7(1).

(7)"The relevant registration authority" means the registration authority in whose area the registration takes place.

3Eligibility

(1)Two people are not…