Immigration Control Information

Additional Documentation Required When Giving Notice of Civil Partnership

People wishing to register a civil partnership are required to provide proof that they have satisfied immigration requirements or provide proof of their nationality in addition to any other relevant documents listed in the RCP1 leaflet|, "Registering a Civil Partnership in Scotland".

 

Persons subject to Immigration Controls

Any person subject to immigration control will have to satisfy one of the three following immigration eligibility requirements:

1. They must hold a valid visa or entry clearance issued specifically for the purpose of travelling to Scotland with the intention of entering into a civil partnership, or
2. they have a Home Office Certificate of Approval, or
3. they have settled status in the United Kingdom.

Proof that these requirements have been met must be submitted to the Registrar when you lodge your civil partnership notice forms.

 

For more information contact your nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission or call the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766, or write to Immigration & Nationality Directorate, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR9 2BY for advice.

 

Persons not subject to Immigration Controls

If you are a British citizen, a national of a country in the European Economic Area or you have a certificate of entitlement giving you the right of abode in the UK, you are not affected by the new rules.  However, you will be required to provide evidence of your nationality to the registrar before your civil partnership registration can proceed.

 

British citizens

If you were born in the UK prior to 1 January 1983 then it may normally be assumed that British citizenship was acquired automatically and your birth certificate is sufficient proof of your nationality.

 

If you were born in the UK after 1 January 1983 your nationality is dependent on the immigration or nationality status of your parents at the time of your birth.

 

The easiest way to prove that you are a British Citizen is to produce a full British passport. If you do not have a full British passport, evidence of the immigration or nationality status of one of your parents will be needed, e.g. your parent's UK birth certificate.

 

If your parents were unmarried at the time of your birth, nationality is taken from your mother, so it will be your mother's UK birth certificate that is needed. If your parents were married at the time of your birth, you can take your nationality from either parent, so the UK birth certificate of either parent will do.  However, if you want to rely on your father's immigration or nationality status (for example where your mother is not British) you will also need to provide proof  of your parents' marriage.

 

If you are unable to prove the nationality or immigration status of your parents in this way, you should contact the Home Office Nationality Group (tel 0845 010 5200) for advice.

 

If you were born outside the UK but have acquired British Citizenship, you must produce your naturalisation/registration certificate or a full British passport.

 

EEA nationals

If you are a national from one of the EEA states (or Switzerland) below the registrar will need to see your passport.

 

• Austria
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom