Change a civil partnership to a marriage

Couples in a civil partnership can change their partnership to a marriage at the register office.

The ‘conversion’ is a legal paper process with the option to have a celebratory ceremony.

You’ll need to book an appointment and then visit the register office.

Please be aware that for conversion appointments taking place after the 9 December 2015 a statutory fee of £45  will be payable.

See the comparison of civil partnership and marriage for same sex couples on the GOV.UK website.

Book an appointment

To book an appointment, call us on 0117 922 2800.

You’ll need

You must bring to your appointment:

• a passport for each partner
• proof of address (utility or council tax bill)
• your original civil partnership certificate

Cost

At the register office:

• £45 for the conversion process (Please note that there is no fee if you have your conversion appointment before the 10th December 2015 and your civil partnership was formed before 29th March 2014)
• £11 per marriage certificate (you need at least one)

Organising a ceremony

You can have a celebratory ceremony with a registrar in the register office or at any of the approved premises in Bristol.

There’s a non-refundable £30 booking fee to secure a date and time of a ceremony.

At Bristol Register Office

The Mayoral Room, Old Council House: 50 guests maximum

• Monday to Friday: £200
• Saturday: £250

The Lantern Room, Old Council House: 70 guests maximum

• Monday to Friday: £625
• Saturday: £740
• Sunday: £915
• Bank Holiday: £920

The Grand Council Chamber, The Old Council House: 150 guests maximum

• Monday to Friday: £795
• Saturday: £885
• Sunday:  £1095
• Bank Holiday: £1100

Venues other than the Bristol Register Office

Costs are for the registrar to be there:

• Monday to Saturday: £385
• Sunday: £400
• Bank Holiday: £480

Terms and conditions

See our Register Office terms and conditions (pdf, 295KB) (opens new window) .