Apply to become a civil partnership notary
After you register as a civil partnership notary, you can conduct legal declaration ceremonies in Queensland but not solemnise marriages.
A civil partnership is a way for a couple to formally commit to each other. Once registered with us, their relationship is legally recognised in Queensland and by the Australian Government.
There are important legal differences between civil partnerships and marriages. Although there are some similarities between their processes, the unions are governed by entirely separate legislation.
In Australia, you can find similar laws regarding civil partnerships in:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria.
Queensland recognises legal partnerships from these jurisdictions:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- States of the United States of America
- California
- Hawaii
- the above Australian states and territory.
Civil partnership notary duties
Once you are qualified as a registered civil partnership notary, you need to:
- help couples who wish to register their relationship with a civil partnership declaration ceremony under the Civil Partnerships Act 2011
- create ceremonies that meet the couples' expectations
- ensure accurate documents are prepared and kept securely
- advise us of changes to your contact details or personal circumstances, including any changes to your:
- occupation
- business interests
- criminal history.
How to apply
The application process depends on whether or not you are already registered as an authorised marriage celebrant or whether or not you are renewing as a civil partnership notary.
In either case you need to:
- Check the proof of ID requirements.
- Complete, download and print the register as a civil partnership notary application form.
- Have your supporting documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
- Attach your supporting documents, including your certified proof of ID and either:
- your authorised marriage celebrant registration number (if you have one)
- your civil partnership notary registration number (if you have one)
- additional documents as outlined below
- Pay the fee.
- Submit your signed application form along with payment and certified documents to us by post or in person.
If you are not a registered civil marriage celebrant or a renewing civil partnership notary, you must also:
- Have a current nationwide criminal history report from the Queensland Police Service.
- Attach personal references from 2 adults who are not members of your family—we set out the personal reference requirements in the application form.
- Complete an online assessment—we will email it to you after you submit your application.
Submit by post
Post your completed and signed application form along with payment and your certified documents to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Submit in person
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane with the completed application form and your original proof of ID and supporting documents.
You will need to work out the total cost of your order and make sure you pay the correct amount. You can pay:
- 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 (MasterCard or Visa)
- 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
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
Registration fee for a civil partnership notary | $80.00 |
| Annual renewal fee for a civil partnership notary registration | $48.00 |
Fill in the civil partnership notary application form
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.