Register your civil partnership and apply for a certificate

Couples can register their relationship as a civil partnership by completing an application, 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 has different rules.

Learn about having a civil partnership declaration ceremony from $384.10.

Steps to register your civil partnership

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To be eligible:

  • both partners must
    • be over 18
    • provide 3 forms of proof of ID
    • not be married or already in a civil partnership
  • it can't be a prohibited relationship

A prohibited relationship is between 2 people who are direct ancestors (such as parent or grandparent), direct descendants (such as child or grandchild), siblings or half siblings. Couples should be aware of their responsibilities under the Civil Partnership Act 2011.

  • at least 1 partner must currently live in Queensland

Living in Queensland

You must provide evidence that you live at a Queensland address. The proof of ID home address evidence list shows you what you can submit.

  • you must provide evidence that you are no longer married (for example a divorce or death certificate) if you have ever been married
  • all your documents must be in English, or supplied with certified translations as well as the original document
  • you must pay the registration fee of $159.00
  • you and your partner must read the legal effects of a civil partnership.

Before you start make sure you have:

Proof of ID

For original documents that are not in English, you must provide a translation from a translator certified by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) plus a certified copy of the original document.

When submitting your application:

  • copy your documents
  • have them certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person
  • in person request an appointment with us
    • bring the original documents along with the certified copies to your appointment—print any digital documents to bring with you.
    • if you can’t speak and understand English, you can bring along an interpreter to your appointment.

When you fill-in your application online you will need to submit it, along with supporting documents to us:

  1. by post to Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, PO Box 15188, CITY EAST  QLD 4002
  2. in person by requesting an appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre.

Paying online means:

  • you don’t have to send payment details through the post
  • when submitting in person your appointment will be quicker.

On the review page you will be able to check your answers, but they are not saved for security purposes. If you make a mistake, you will need to complete the form again.

To help us complete your application please do not use block letters.

Clearly show the use of hyphens, capital letters and spaces if required (e.g. Smith-Jones, McLeod, Van der Berg). Be careful when completing as changes after your civil partnership has been registered may require a fee.

When you print your application form and find a mistake, simply cross it out, make the change and initial.

After you have finished filling in your application online we will send you an email. It is important to read the email to find out how to finalise your application.

I want to fill-in an application to register my relationship as a civil partnership online

Submit by post

Post your completed application form with your certified documents and payment (if you didn't pay online) to:

Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST   QLD  4002

We will begin to process your application when we receive it along with your documents.

Submit in person by requesting an appointment

To submit your completed application form in person, use our online booking system to book a 15-minute appointment with us.

This online service allows you to choose the date and time of your appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.

To book your appointment, you will be asked for your name, email and mobile number, and you will get an email confirming your appointment. The email will also allow you to easily reschedule or cancel your booking, if necessary.

  1. To make a booking I understand: *
  2. Do either you or your partner live in Queensland? *

  3. You're not eligible

    We can’t register a civil partnership in Queensland unless you or your partner lives in the state. You may choose to be married instead.

Privacy notice

The Department of Justice, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages is collecting your personal information for the purpose of facilitating your appointment booking online and for contacting you in relation to your booking. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed  for any other purpose unless authorised or required by law. Your personal information will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Information Privacy Act 2009.

Not from Brisbane?

If  you live outside the Brisbane city area, bring your completed application form with your original proof of ID, eligibility documents and other supporting documents (if required) to the following locations:

Other booking options

You can also book your appointment with us:

  • by phone – local call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm (costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate)
  • in person – visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.
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When completing online, the total cost is calculated as you fill in the application form.

The fee is for you to submit your application and for us to review it.

You can pay:

  • online
    • by credit card (MasterCard or Visa)
  • at the customer service centre
    • by EFTPOS or credit card
    • with a business account cheque
    • with a bank cheque
    • with a money order
  • by post
    • within Australia
      • by credit card
      • with a business account cheque
      • with a bank cheque
      • with a money order
    • from overseas
      • by credit card.

We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.

We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).

Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.

Application fees

ItemCost
Register a civil partnership $159.00

Commemorative civil partnership certificate package (1 official civil partnership certificate and standard postage included)

 $70.70

Official civil partnership certificate (standard postage included)

 $54.40

Postage fees

Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.

You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.

ItemCost
Express post $8.55
Registered post $8.10
International registered mail $18.55


We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post. This ensures your certificate's delivery can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.

International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.

The fee you pay is for you to submit your application and for us to review it.

You will lose the fee paid if we refuse your application or you cancel it after we have started to review it.

Please read our refund policy.

Contact us

Online: our general enquiry form.

By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.

*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

Public holiday office closure

The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane will be closed Monday 5 May for the Labour Day public holiday. We will re-open on Tuesday 6 May at 8.30am.

Back to top

  1. Can you register your relationship as a civil partnership?

    Use this application form to register your relationship as a civil partnership without a declaration ceremony. Start by answering the question below to help you understand if you can apply to us to register a civil partnership.

    1. Do you want to have a declaration ceremony? *
    2. Do either you or your partner currently live in Queensland? * (If you chose 'No' above)
    3. Are either you or your partner already married or in a civil partnership? *(If you chose 'Yes' above)
    4. Do you have all the proof you need for identification? *View the proof of ID you will need to provide. (If you chose 'No' above)
  2. Fill in your application form Fill in the application form before downloading and printing it.

    Remember

    The information you give will appear on your civil partnership certificate.

    Partner 1 details (partner paying the fee)
    1. Name This is the partner paying the fee.
    2. Place of birth
    4. Sex *
      6. If the sex shown on your current ID is different to the sex on your birth certificate, you must provide evidence showing how you updated your sex on your ID—for example a recognised details certificate from another state or territory.
    6. Do you live in Queensland? *
    7. If yes, attach at least 1 certified document from the list of home address evidence of the proof of ID, showing your current home address in Queensland.
    8. If no, attach at least 1 certified document from the list of home address evidence of the proof of ID, showing your current home address.
    9. I confirm that I am: *

      10. Relationship status

      Select one which best describes your status before this current relationship.

      If you have been in a civil partnership you will need to have it terminated (ended).

    10. Relationship status *
    11. You will be asked to provide evidence of the death of your former partner.
    12. You will be asked to provide evidence that your marriage has ended.
    13. You will be asked to provide evidence that your civil partnership has ended.
    14. This is the best description of your status before this current relationship.
    16. Home address
    17. *
      1. *
      2. *
      3. *
      19. Is your postal address the same as your home address? *
      1. (If you chose 'No' above)
      2. Partner 1's postal address
    20. Partner 1 parents' details

    21. Remember

      The information you give for your parents will appear on your civil partnership certificate.

    22. Mother or parent's name
    23. Father or parent's name
      24. Partner 2 details
      1. Name
      2. Place of birth
      4. Sex *
        6. If the sex shown on your current ID is different to the sex on your birth certificate, you must provide evidence showing how you updated your sex on your ID—for example a recognised details certificate from another state or territory.
      6. Do you live in Queensland? *
      7. If yes, attach at least 1 certified document from the list of home address evidence of the proof of ID, showing your current home address in Queensland.
      8. If no, attach at least 1 certified document from the list of home address evidence of the proof of ID, showing your current home address.
      9. I confirm that I am: *

        10. Relationship status

        Select one which best describes your status before this current relationship.

        If you have been in a civil partnership you will need to have it terminated (ended).

      10. Relationship status *
      11. You will be asked to provide evidence of the death of your former partner.
      12. You will be asked to provide evidence that your marriage has ended.
      13. You will be asked to provide evidence that your civil partnership has ended.
      14. This is the best description of your status before this current relationship.
      16. Home address
        1. *
          1. *
          2. *
          3. *
      17. Is your postal address the same as your home address? *
      18. (If you chose 'No' above)
        1. Partner 2's postal address
      21. Partner 2 parents' details

      22. Remember

        The information you give for your parents will appear on your civil partnership certificate.

      23. Mother or parent's name
      24. Father or parent's name
    24. Would you like to order a civil partnership certificate? *
      We do not notify you that it has been registered after the 10-day cooling-off period.
    25. Order details
      1. We can't register your civil partnership until 10 full days after we get your compliant application—this is known as the cooling-off period. Your certificate will be posted to you after this time.
      2. Type of post * Australia Post delivery timeframes.

      3. Ensure the safe delivery of your certificate

        We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post so the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you securely.

      4. Important update

        Australia Post is suspending its express post guarantee of next-day delivery. Express post is still available and treated as a priority but may not be delivered the next business day every time. Normal application processing timeframes still apply.

      5. Important information

        We value identity protection and you have chosen a more secure delivery outside Australia. However, be aware that international registered mail can’t be tracked, and signing is not available in every country.

      6. What type of civil partnership certificate would you like to order? * Select 1 option—see the commemorative certificate design when selected.
      7. (If you chose 'Commemorative certificate' above) Ordering the Partnership commemorative certificate

    26. Delivery details

      Proof of ID documents must be submitted with your signed application. When submitting by post, have your documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
    27. How would you like to pay for your order? *
      1. The total cost is:
    28. Before I submit this application form *

    29. Proof of ID documents must be submitted. When submitting your signed application:

      • •  by post, have your documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person
      • •  in person, at an appointment bring the original documents along with you to your appointment—print any digital documents to bring to your appointment.

    3. You do not need to use this form

    You can choose to enter a civil partnership with a ceremony or get married.

    You are not eligible

    We can't register a civil partnership in Queensland unless you or your partner currently lives in the state. You may choose to get married instead.

    You are not eligible

    We can't register your relationship as a civil partnership if you are already married or in a civil partnership.

    You need to prove your identity

    We can't register your relationship as a civil partnership until you can prove your identity. You can contact us to find out more.

    Online: our general enquiry form.

    By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.

    *Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

    Public holiday office closure

    The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane will be closed Monday 5 May for the Labour Day public holiday. We will re-open on Tuesday 6 May at 8.30am.

    What happens after I submit my application?

    By law, your civil partnership will not be registered earlier than 10 full days after you submit your compliant application. This is called the cooling-off period and can’t be shortened.

    Last updated:
    11 February 2025
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