Same sex partnership

Marriage and the ability to commence a family are human rights. Ten years ago, on June 26, , the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case extended the right to marry to same-sex couples.

With % of Americans identifying as LGBTQ+, this decision continues to have an impact beyond legal benefits.

Marriage provides unique advantages – a reality we own come to know as psychology researcherswho focus on couples. The right to marry allowed same-sex couples the opportunity to experience these advantages.

Benefits of a fit marriage

Although evidence largely comes from different-sex couples, psychology research documents the numerous benefits healthy marriage confers on well-being. Married people experience more positive emotions. They also have many physical health advantages, such as being more likely to survive cancer or major surgery. Children of married couples seem to benefit as well.

A healthy marriage brings benefits that are distinct even from what couples in long-term relationships experience. Those who are married have better psychological well-being,

In , Parliament passed the Civil Partnership Act which allowed couples of the same sex to enter into civil partnerships. And in , Parliament introduced the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Operate which legally allowed same-sex couples to marry. But what’s the difference?

Tom Powles, who is a Partner in our family law team, explains.

How does same-sex marriage differ from a civil partnership?

Same-sex couples in the UK can currently choose between a civil partnership and marriage, a choice that was also made accessible to heterosexual couples in

Surprisingly though, the differences between marriage and a civil partnership are not significant and include the following:

  1. For legal purposes, civil partners cannot call themselves ‘married’, and married couples cannot refer to themselves as being ‘civil partners’.
  2. When it comes to getting a divorce or dissolution, adultery cannot be stated as grounds for dissolving a civil partnership but can be for marriage.
  3. Civil partnership certificates include the names of both parents, whereas marriage certificates only contain the father’s name.

    4. Marriage Equality Around the World

    The Human Rights Campaign tracks developments in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage around the world. Working through a worldwide network of HRC global alumni and partners, we lift up the voices of community, national and regional advocates and contribute tools, resources, and lessons learned to empower movements for marriage equality.

    Current State of Marriage Equality

    There are currently 38 countries where same-sex marriage is legal: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay. 

    These countries have legalized marriage equality through both legislation and court decisions. 

    Countries that Legalized Marriage Equality in

    Liechtenstein: On May 16, , Liechtenstein's gove

    Convert a same-sex civil partnership into a marriage

    You can convert your same-sex civil partnership into a marriage at:

    You’ll acquire a marriage certificate, dated when your civil partnership was formed.

    You cannot convert an opposite-sex civil partnership to a marriage in England and Wales.

    How much it costs

    You’ll pay:

    • £ for a marriage certificate
    • £50 to convert your civil partnership
    • £30 for an appointment, if you have a ceremony

    The charge of the ceremony will vary by venue.

    What you need

    You’ll verb to sign a ‘conversion into marriage’ declaration. Make an appointment to do this with the superintendent registrar at your local register office.

    You’ll need your original civil partnership certificate and your ID - ask the register office what ID to provide.

    Converting with a ceremony

    Contact a registered venue to book a date for your ceremony.

    You’ll also be able to have the ceremony at venues where same-sex couples can get married, for example:

    • religious buildings registered for the marriage of same-sex couples
    • premises where a ceremony according to the Jewish