Rights and responsibilities overview

Civil partnerships confer a number of rights and responsibilities on same-sex couples. Below is an overview:

Upon registering:

Joint treatment for income-related benefits
Joint state pension benefits
Ability to gain parental responsibility for each other's children
Recognition for immigration purposes
Exemption from testifying against each other in court

Upon dissolution:

Fair arrangements for property division
Residence arrangements
Appropriate contact with children

Rights and responsibilities following the death of one partner include:

Right to register the death of a partner
Right to claim a survivor pension
Eligibility for bereavement benefits
Compensation for fatal accidents or criminal injuries
Recognition under inheritance and intestacy rules
Tenancy succession rights

It is worth noting that the registrar will ask the person registering the death questions about whether the deceased was married or in a civil partnership, the date of birth of the surviving spouse or civil partner and the name and occupation of the civil partner, where the deceased was in a civil partnership or was a surviving civil partner. This could have implications for couples who do not wish to be open about their civil partnership.