This partnership registration does not confer any legal rights, however it may be used as additional evidence in any dispute or civil action that may arise. Future legislation may mean that the registration can help with matters concerning housing, taxation, inheritance rights and family law.

Couples entered into the Register will receive a certificate of registration and a permanent record will be held at Richmond. The register itself is loose leafed and handwritten.

Confidentiality

The register will not be available for inspection by members of the public.

If couples wish their details to be available to be made available, for example to a pension provider, they must submit a written request signed by both parties.

Qualifying Criteria

Age

The Richmond Registered Partnership Register is only available to couples who are BOTH over the age of 18.

Existing Marriage or Registered Partnership

Couples will not be entered into the register if either party is currently validly married or entered into an existing registered partnership.

Evidence that a former marriage has ended, such as decree absolute or death certificate must be produced. Evidence that a former partnership has been de-registered must also be produced.

Related Persons

Persons who are related to each other are not eligible to register.
There are one or two exceptions to this rule so please ask for further information.

Position of Trust

Persons who are in a position of trust in relation to the other person will not be entered into the Richmond Register regardless of their age. A position of trust would include situations such as teacher/student, carer/patient etc.

Residency

Both parties must be resident in the UK but DO NOT have to be resident in Richmond.

Commitment Ceremonies

All couples who book a Commitment Ceremony will be entered into the Richmond Registered Partnership Register free of charge.
See separate information relating to Commitment Ceremonies.

De-Registration

In order to de-register a partnership in the Richmond Register both parties must attend, in person, to sign their entry confirming the de-registration. In exceptional circumstances one party may end the partnership, but confirmation will be notified to both parties.

The Registration

The registration is a private event for the couple only. It will be conducted, in private, in one of our tastefully decorated rooms in our grade II listed building, for which a small fee of £30.00 will be charged for use of the facilities. When registration is included in a Commitment Ceremony it is certainly a photo opportunity and becomes an important part of the ceremony.

How to Apply

Both parties should apply in person to register their intention to enter into a Registered Partnership. In exceptional circumstances this part of the process can be dealt with by telephone and post.
The partnership can then be registered after three weeks or up to a year from the date of the application.

In all circumstances original documents must be produced. The documents include:

· Passport or Full Birth Certificate
· Decree Absolute from last or former marriage
· De-Registration Certificate from last or former registered partnership
· Death Certificate of late spouse
· Deed Poll, Change of Name Deed or Statutory Declaration of change of name
· Proof of Residence such as Council Tax statement

All couples must complete an application form and submit the form to Richmond either by post in advance or when they attend their appointment to formally register their intention.

The application form is formatted as Partner 1 and Partner 2. Partner 1 is always the oldest party even if this is just by a single day.

For further information please contact Win Whiting at 1 Spring Terrace, Richmond, TW9 1LW. w.whiting@richmond.gov.uk

Direct action group Outrage has slammed new government equality proposals because they don’t force local councils and public bodies to tackle homophobia.The government’s draft legislation, Fairness For All, plans to set up a Commission for Equality and Human Rights that will swallow up the current race, disability and women’s rights boards. It will also protect the gay community, older people and religious groups for the first time. It will force public officials to promote equality for women and the disabled, just as they have to do for race. But it fails to do the same for gays and lesbians.It also places no duty on public bodies to tackle age discrimination and discrimination against people based on religious belief.

Gay rights group Outrage has condemned the proposals as “divisive and discriminatory”. Spokesman Peter Tatchell said: “Labour is creating a hierarchy of oppression, where women, black and disabled people are deemed more worthy of protection than lesbians and gay men. “While action to combat race, gender and disability discrimination will be a legal requirement for all public bodies, action against homophobia will remain a mere option. Why the double standards?”

Gay lobby group Stonewall agrees that this discrepancy must be corrected. The lobby group’s spokesman Andy Forrest said: “We are generally supportive of these proposals, since they will offer protection for gays and lesbians which so far has been lacking.

“However, it is disappointing that the section of the white paper dealing with public sector duties fails to place an obligation on public bodies to protect the gay community. We will be calling for this section of the paper to be extended as soon as possible.” A spokesman for the Department for Trade and Industry was unable to explain why the government has decided to make the provisions regarding public sector duties apply only to issues of race, gender and disability. He said: “We are not starting from a level footing. We have made large steps on equality for gay men and lesbians recently and are trying to bring things closer together, but it cannot happen in one swoop.”