Rules for civil partnership

Part of the Civil partnerships topic

Understand the rules you need to follow to register or end a civil partnership in Queensland.

In short

A civil partnership is a way for couples to have their relationship legally recognised.

It gives couples similar legal recognition and rights as married couples without getting married.

There are rules you must follow to:

You must

To register a civil partnership
Correct. Apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Correct. Be 18 years or older to apply.
Correct. Have at least 1 partner who lives in Queensland.
Correct. Acknowledge that both partners have read the legal effect of a civil partnership.
To end a civil partnership
Correct. Apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Correct.If you are applying by yourself, provide us with a statutory declaration confirming:
  • you provided a copy of the application to your partner
  • how you gave it to them
  • the registered post tracking number if you sent it to them by registered post.

You cannot

To register a civil partnership
Incorrect. Apply for someone else.
Incorrect. Register a civil partnership with your:
  • parent
  • grandparent
  • child
  • grandchild
  • brother or sister
  • half-sibling.
Incorrect. Register a civil partnership if you or your partner are already in a civil partnership or married.
Incorrect. Request a shortening of the 10-day cooling off period.
To end a civil partnership
Incorrect. Request a shortening of the 90-day termination period.

You may be interested in

Civil Partnership Act 2011

Managed by: Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Last updated:
19 February 2026