Entering a civil partnership with a ceremony
Couples can enter a civil partnership in Queensland if they are 18 or older and at least 1 partner lives in Queensland.
You will need to decide how you would like to enter your civil partnership. You can do this:
- in a declaration ceremony at
- the Brisbane registry from $384.10 with a registered civil partnership notary
- a regional Queensland Magistrates Courts that provides this service
- a location of your choice with a registered civil partnership notary
- without a declaration ceremony.
Read about the legal effects of a civil partnership before making your decision.
We do not automatically send a certificate when a civil partnership is registered, you need to apply and pay for one. If you apply for a certificate before your partnership is registered, we will post the certificate as soon as the registration has been processed.
Learn how to apply for a civil partnership certificate.
Declaration ceremony
Complete your notice of intention to enter into a civil partnership application form with your registered civil partnership notary. If you are not having your declaration ceremony at the Brisbane registry, send us a copy after your notary completes their declaration on the application form.
Your notice must be received by your civil partnership notary, at least 10 full days before your declaration ceremony, and no earlier than 12 months before. For example, if your notary receives your application on 1 February, the declaration ceremony may be held on 12 February or in the 12 months after.
Your civil partnership notary will discuss with you what proof of ID and eligibility documents you need to show them. After your ceremony your notary is responsible for registering your civil partnership on your behalf.
If you can't complete the notice of intention to enter into a civil partnership application form with your civil partnership notary, both partners must sign the application form in the presence of a qualified witness. You must still give it to your notary, send a copy to us and show your notary proof of ID and eligibility documents.
Translating and interpreting service
If you can’t speak and understand English, you need to bring someone along to your interview who can translate for you.
Documents that are not in English must be translated into English. Contact the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) to seek assistance.
Fill in the notice to register a civil partnership with a ceremony
Application fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Brisbane registry declaration ceremony (fee may be different outside the Brisbane registry) | From $384.10 |
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.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 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.
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 more securely within Australia.
Register your civil partnership without a declaration ceremony
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.
Complete and submit your register a civil partnership application form with us along with payment, proof of ID and eligibility documents.
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.