Do it in the North, but there's a catch

Can gay couples in the Republic avail of civil partnerships in Northern Ireland? Carl O'Brien explores the options

Gay couples may face a long wait before they can avail of civil partnership in the Republic. However, the lack of a residency requirement for civil unions in Northern Ireland means same-sex couples in the Republic can apply immediately for a partnership across the Border.

Unlike England and Wales, which have a seven-day residency requirement, the relative ease of availing of a civil partnership in the North means gay partners in the Republic could become officially recognised in the UK as a couple within 21 days of applying.

However, these unions will not be recognised in the Republic. But it is possible that such civil partnerships could become automatically recognised if legal changes are introduced in the Republic in the future.

Couples seeking to avail of a civil partnership in the North will need a range of document-

ation, including an affidavit stating that neither partner is already in a civil partnership or lawfully married.

Couples have a wide choice when it comes to the venue for a partnership ceremony. As well as the 26 venues in the North owned and run by the local authorities, there are an additional 66 private-sector venues which hold licences to allow civil marriages to be performed on their premises.

They include major historic mansions and houses owned by the National Trust, such as Florencecourt in Co Fermanagh; hotels such as the Ramada and Malone Lodge in Belfast; and a range of other settings such as the Royal Ulster Yacht Club and the Ormeau Bath Gallery in Belfast.

A spokesman for the registrar's office in Fermanagh District Council said yesterday they would be happy to facilitate couples from the Republic seeking to obtain a civil partnership.

Not all the local authorities, however, have rushed to embrace the notion of civil partnerships for same sex couples.

Lisburn City Council was forced to overturn a decision to ban the use of its wedding room for same-sex civil partnership registrations following a threat of legal action. A motion proposing that same-sex civil partnership registration should "be not afforded the same recognition" as a civil marriage ceremony had been tabled by Alliance councillor Seamus Close and passed in July by the city council.

Research by Will Peters for the Northern Ireland-based Lesbian Advocacy Services Initiative (Lasi) also indicates there are widespread differences in the relationship between local authorities and private-sector venues over extending civil partnership cermonies to same-sex couples.

The UK is just one potential option for gay couples. Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and Spain provide for gay marriage, and a growing number of other countries have civil partnership arrangements, although residency requirements vary.

For further information on civil partnership in the North, log on to the UK's Office of Public Sector Information: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2004/20040033.ht