Registering a civil partnership without a ceremony
Adult couples of any sex can register their relationship as a civil partnership without having a declaration ceremony. You need to be 18 or older, and at least 1 partner must live in Queensland.
A civil partnership is not a marriage and therefore has different rules applied.
We cannot register your civil partnership until 10 days after we get your application form—this is known as the cooling-off period.
We do not automatically send a certificate when a civil partnership is registered, you need to buy one. Likewise, we do not notify you that it has been registered after the cooling-off period.
If the registrar will not register your civil partnership, you can apply for Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) to review the decision.
Rules for registering a civil partnership
Any eligible adult couple, regardless of their sex, can enter into a civil partnership.
To be eligible:
- both partners must
- be over 18
- provide proof of ID
- not be married or already in a civil partnership (formerly called registered relationship)
- it cannot be a prohibited relationship with a parent, descendant, sibling or half sibling
- at least 1 partner must live in Queensland
- you must provide evidence that you are no longer married (such as a divorce or death certificate) if you have ever been married
- all your documents must be in English, or supplied with accredited translations as well as the original document
- you and your partner must read the legal effects of a civil partnership.
If you are posting your application, you must have your supporting documents certified by a qualified Justice of the Peace or another authorised person . This is not required if you are applying in person.
Prohibited relationship
A prohibited relationship is between 2 people who are direct ancestors (such as parent, grandparent), direct descendants (such as child, grandparent), siblings or half siblings. Applicants should be aware of their responsibilities under the Civil Partnership Act 2011.
How to apply
To apply to register your civil partnership:
- Read and understand the rules above.
- Complete, download and print the register a civil partnership application form.
- Visit a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person with your partner (if you are posting your application). Take your proof of ID and supporting documents to have them certified and to complete the statutory declaration section of the application form.
- Attach your certified proof of ID, eligibility documents and evidence of home address.
- Submit your application form and supporting documents to us by post or in person.
There is no fee to register your civil partnership unless you choose to apply for a certificate at the same time.
By post
Post your completed application form with your certified documents to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
In person
Visit any of the following locations:
- The Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane
- One of our agents at a Queensland Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office (except the Brisbane Magistrates Court)
Bring your completed application form with your original proof of ID, eligibility documents and other supporting documents (if required).
Translating and interpreting services
For documents that are not in English, you must provide a translation from a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Application fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Register a civil partnership | Free |
Commemorative civil partnership certificate package (1 standard civil partnership certificate and standard postage included) | $64.50 |
Standard civil partnership certificate (standard postage included) | $49.50 |
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can request to have your certificate posted by express or registered post for a fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Express post | $6.70 |
| Registered mail | $5.20 |
| International registered post | $16.10 |
Contact us
Email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au, we reply to online enquiries within 2 business days.
We are experiencing a high volume of calls and are prioritising services.
To help us answer your query as soon as possible, use our general enquiry form.