The Marriage (same sex couples) Act 2013 enabled same sex couples to enter into a marriage rather than a Civil Partnership.
For those who had entered into their Civil Partnerships before the 2013 Act came into force, regulations were drawn up to convert the civil sex partnership into marriage with the issue of a “Certificate of Conversion”. However, following objections the regulation was withdrawn in July.
The Government Equalities Office has now confirmed that a full, backdated marriage certificate will be issue rather than a Certificate of Conversion.
The design of the certificate will be almost identical to a marriage certificate issued without a conversion but there will be a few necessary differences. For example, the marriage certificate will show the “when married” date as the date the original civil partnership was formed.
The certificate will also show the date the conversion took place.
Couples in England and Wales will be able to convert their civil partnerships to marriages at Registry Offices from 10th December 2014.
For further help and advice on Civil Partnerships please contact Ringrose Law Family Team at one of our offices in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Sleaford, Spalding & Newark.