
In the UK, there are two ways to make your relationship legally recognised. These are marriage and civil partnership. But what is the difference between them? This post is here to help explain the differences of civil partnership vs marriage. Get you the information you need to answer your questions or even make a decision on which option is right for you and your partner.
What is civil partnership?
Civil partnership is a legally-binding relationship between two people, that takes place voluntarily in a formal ceremony. It’s often viewed as an alternative to marriage.
What is marriage?
Marriage is also the legally-binding recognition of a relationship, that is formed voluntarily by two people during a ceremony.
What is the difference between civil partnership and marriage?
Based on the definitions above, civil partnership and marriage sound very similar. When looking at civil partnership vs marriage, it’s important to understand that the law views them as fundamentally the same thing: civil partners and married spouses have both entered into a legal union, giving them certain rights and responsibilities under law.
So, you may be wondering about the differences between marriage vs civil partnership. Here are the key differences:
- The ceremony. A marriage can take place in a religious ceremony (although it doesn’t have to be religious). It is formed through vows, and a marriage certificate is signed. On the other hand, a civil partnership is entered into by signing a civil partnership certificate. The legally recognised civil partnership ceremony cannot be religious, but you can get a religious blessing before or after if you wish.
- Civil partnerships cannot call themselves ‘married’ in a legal context. This is because, while civil partnership and marriage afford couples the same rights under law, there is still a legal distinction between being married and being in a civil partnership. However, it is unlikely that this will have much of an impact on your daily life. For example, you just need to ensure you’re selecting the correct box when asked about your relationship status on official forms (i.e. you shouldn’t select ‘married’ if you’re in a civil partnership, or vice versa).
- Marriages are ended by divorce, the final stage of which is the Decree Absolute. Civil partnerships are ended through dissolution. You can find out more about divorce vs dissolution here.
What’s the difference between a wedding and civil partnership ceremony?
There are a couple of key differences between a wedding (marriage ceremony) and a civil partnership ceremony. The key difference is that you can have a religious marriage ceremony in a place of worship if you wish. You cannot have a religious civil partnership ceremony. You will also sign slightly different certificates – either a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.

Is civil partnership the same as a marriage? What are the similarities?
Civil partnership gives couples the same rights, benefits, and obligations as married couples. So, you could say that there are more similarities than differences when it comes to civil partnership vs marriage. Here are some of the key similarities:
- There are only two ways to end a civil partnership or marriage: through the death of one partner, or by legally ending the union through divorce (for marriages) or dissolution (for civil partnerships).
- When children are born to two parents in a marriage or civil partnership, both parents are automatically given parental responsibility. If the relationship breaks down and the parents divorce or the civil partnership is dissolved, they have the same rights and responsibilities regarding making arrangements and decisions for the children post-separation.
- Upon divorcing or dissolving a civil partnership , the same potential rights to maintenance exist. This deals with the separation of assets. The starting point for division is typically 50/50 in England and Wales, but fairness and the needs of each party and any children are also considered.
- When one of the people in the marriage or civil partnership dies, the same rules of intestacy are applied. This means that, if there is no will and no children, the entire estate will pass to the surviving partner. If there are children, the surviving partner will inherit the first £250,000, the personal belongings, and half of the remaining estate. The rest will go to the children.
- Tax laws are the same for spouses and civil partners. This includes the same exemptions from inheritance tax, and the ability for one partner to pass their nil rate tax band to the other.
Civil partnership vs marriage pros and cons
The civil partnership vs marriage pros and cons are very subjective. Whether something is, an advantage or disadvantage depends on your personal beliefs. However, here are some general factors that you may consider to be advantages and disadvantages of civil partnership and marriage.
Civil partnership pros and cons
Pros:
- Civil partnerships are legally recognised, providing couples with certain legal rights.
- Inheritance rights are the same as for married couples – you can inherit from your civil partner without paying inheritance tax.
- Civil partners can benefit from each others’ pension schemes in the same way as married couples
- Civil partners have the same parental rights and responsibilities as married couples.
- Civil partners benefit from the same tax benefits as married couples, such as transferring your personal allowance to your civil partner in certain circumstances.
- It can benefit your emotional wellbeing by providing a sense of security and commitment.
Cons:
- Certain religious groups may not recognise civil partnerships (although they remain legally recognised in the UK).
- You cannot form a civil partnership during a religious ceremony.
- Civil partnerships may not be recognised in all countries around the world, which could present a challenge if you want to travel or live abroad.
- There are costs associated with entering into a civil partnership, such as the ceremony and reception, plus a cost for dissolution if the relationship doesn’t work out.
Marriage pros and cons
Pros:
- Marriage provides a wide range of legal rights and benefits, as it is a legally recognised relationship. These are the same as those that result from a civil partnership, mentioned above.
- Marriage is often seen as a significant social and personal milestone in the UK.
- It can benefit your emotional well-being by providing a sense of security and commitment.
- You can get married in a religious ceremony if you choose to do so.
Cons:
- Getting married can be expensive, for example paying for the ceremony and reception, plus the cost for divorce if you decide to do this down the line.
- Some people view the concept and traditions of marriage as outdated, and so prefer the concept of civil partnership.
Why have a civil partnership instead of marriage?
There are a few reasons why couples may choose a civil partnership vs marriage. For example, before 2013, marriage was not open to same sex couples. So, civil partnership was the only option. Other couples may not agree with the tradition and social connotations of marriage, and so choose civil partnership as a way to have their relationship legally recognised without having to have a marriage ceremony. Overall, it is a personal choice for each couple to decide for themselves.
What are the disadvantages of civil partnership vs marriage?
Marriages and civil partnerships are fundamentally the same thing in the eyes of the law in the UK and so there are not really any major disadvantages of one over the other. However, civil partnerships are not recognised in some places of the world, so you may encounter issues while travelling or if you move to a different country where they are not recognised.
Can a civil partnership be converted into a marriage?
Yes, however it is only same sex civil partnerships that can be converted into marriages in England, Wales, and Scotland. Different paperwork is required in Scotland, and no civil partnerships cannot be converted to marriages in Northern Ireland. On the other hand, marriages cannot be converted to civil partnerships.

Is civil partnership for straight couples?
There is a misconception that civil partnership is only available for same sex couples. This probably came about as, before The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 that allowed same sex partners to get married, civil partnership was the only option available to them if they wanted their relationship to be registered and come with legal rights.
Civil partnerships were actually introduced in 2004 as a way to give same sex couples the same legal rights as married couples of the opposite sex. initially, only same sex couples could be entered into a civil partnership – mixed sex couples could not. This was overturned in 2019 for England and Wales, 2020 for Northern Ireland, and 2021 for Scotland. Now, civil partnerships are available to all couples everywhere in the UK.
Is civil partnership the same as common law marriage?
No, civil partnership is not the same as common law marriage. In the UK, common law marriage is not legally recognised. Couples who are not married or in a civil partnership have no legal recognition of their relationship. As such, they may miss out on some of the benefits of having their relationship legally recognised, such as inheritance tax benefits and the rules of intestacy.
Difference between spouse and civil partner
A spouse is a person who is married to another person. A civil partner is a legal status for someone who has entered into a civil partnership with another person.
From a legal perspective (such as official forms and documents), you can’t all yourself a spouse if you’re in a civil partnership, or a civil partner if you’re married.
Registered partnership vs marriage
In the UK, the term ‘registered partnership’ doesn’t apply. You can either enter into a civil partnership or a marriage.
Civil union vs marriage
In the UK, the recognised term is not ‘civil union,’ and is instead ‘civil partnership.’ So, you must enter into either a civil partnership or a marriage.
Civil partnership in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Civil partnership is now available for both same-sex and mixed-sex couples in all four countries in the UK: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. They were first introduced for same-sex couples only under the terms of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
In England and Wales, they were made available for mixed-sex couples in 2019 and in 2020 for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For more information about civil partnership vs marriage, including the requirements to enter into either one, you can refer to the gov.uk website here.
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