There are no significant differences between the rights and obligations of a marriage and those of a civil partnership.
Civil partnerships are formed by signing a civil partnership document, whereas marriages are formed by making legal declarations.
Some people are uncomfortable with the traditional and religious connotations of marriage. Civil partnerships give those couples the option of entering a legal partnership without those connotations.
In order for a civil partnership to take place:
- the registration must be carried out by an officiant authorised to register civil partnerships (which all Humanist Society Scotland celebrants are)
- the couple both need to be present
- there must be two witnesses over the age of 16
Civil partnerships still allow couples to celebrate their love and commitment to each other and have the option to have a ceremony to mark the occasion. If desired, you can incorporate personal vows, poems and readings, music and symbolic gestures.
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