End a civil partnership

Civil partnerships end if either partner passes away or gets married, or either partner can apply to end the relationship.

If you need to show an organisation that your civil partnership ended because of death or marriage, you should ask them directly what proof they need. They may want an official death or marriage certificate, or a statutory declaration from you.

If you end your Queensland civil partnership through us, you can apply to us for an updated certificate showing it has ended after the termination period.

When you apply to end your Queensland civil partnership, it will not be registered until 90 full days after we get your compliant application. This is known as the termination period. An application is compliant when it has been completed in full and submitted with all required supporting documents.

You or your partner (or both of you) can choose to withdraw your application during these 90 full days.

If your civil partnership was registered outside of Queensland, contact us.

Marriages can't be ended using this application form. See the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for information about ending a marriage.

Rules for ending a civil partnership

To end a civil partnership (not a marriage), you must:

If only one partner is signing the application form, you must also give a copy of it to the other registered partner. You can do this by:

  • organising another person to give it to them
  • sending it to them by registered post to their last known home address
  • personally giving it to them
  • placing it in front of them and explaining what it is
  • seeking the registrar's approval to serve the document by another method.

After you have done this, you need to complete the statutory declaration for a single applicant, stating:

  • you have given a copy of the application form to your partner
  • how you gave it to them
  • the registered post tracking number (if you sent it by registered post).

How to apply

To end your civil partnership (not a marriage), you need to:

  1. Read and understand the rules above.
  2. Complete, download and print the end a civil partnership application form.
  3. Visit a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person to complete the statutory declaration section of your application form and certify your supporting documents.
  4. Attach your certified proof of ID documents.
  5. Pay the fee (non-refundable).
  6. Submit your application form along with payment and supporting documents to us by post or in person.

Fill in the end a civil partnership application form

Contact us

Located at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 8.30am–4.30pm

Public holidays: Closed

Online

Email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au, we reply to online enquiries within 2 business days.

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.