When Can I Convert My Civil Partnership to Marriage?
 |
| By Wouterhagens (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons |
It's a good question.
It's a very good question, because it's one that nobody knows the answer to yet.
The delay is because the Government currently lacks the framework to process them: updating computer systems, training staff etc.
They need more time. There's nothing like a bureaucracy created by government. You can imagine how many papers need to be pushed, filed and expensed before it will all be ready.
The important thing is that it's coming.
What's annoyed campaigners however, is the lack of an official time scale. The Government has not been able to offer any specific date beyond 'sometime later in the year'.
It's super vague, and it probably means December.
Fortunately, once it does come into effect it, it will be a simple process of signing a form and sending away a small fee.
They need more time. There's nothing like a bureaucracy created by government. You can imagine how many papers need to be pushed, filed and expensed before it will all be ready.
The important thing is that it's coming.
What's annoyed campaigners however, is the lack of an official time scale. The Government has not been able to offer any specific date beyond 'sometime later in the year'.
It's super vague, and it probably means December.
Fortunately, once it does come into effect it, it will be a simple process of signing a form and sending away a small fee.
Maria Miller, the culture secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, wrote in Pinknews.co.uk last month that:
‘I’m very much aware that there are couples who are already in a civil partnership and who may be disappointed that they will have to wait a little longer to be able to convert to a marriage. I’d like to reassure them that we are working hard to ensure that this process is in place by the end of year. It’s taking longer because we need to introduce completely new procedures and processes. This contrasts with the work to make new marriages for same-sex couples possible, where we have been able to build on existing processes so implementation is much more straightforward’
We wish we could tell you more, and we'll let you know the moment we do.
In the meantime, whilst it's understandable that couples in a civil partneship are frustrated, it's important to have a little perspective. Marriage is on its way. It may not be here today, but it’ll be here soon enough. After all, think about how quickly Christmas *shudder* comes around every year?
In the meantime, whilst it's understandable that couples in a civil partneship are frustrated, it's important to have a little perspective. Marriage is on its way. It may not be here today, but it’ll be here soon enough. After all, think about how quickly Christmas *shudder* comes around every year?
Instead of letting the delay annoy you, why not begin planning an event to mark your conversion? It doesn’t need to be anything big (although it could be).
- You could plan a special meal or a day out.
- Have a blessing or throw a party.
- Have a night away or celebrate with a holiday.
- That way you can turn an annoyance into something positive.
Of course, you could simply do nothing at all.
Nobody likes waiting, and it's unfair that couples in a civil partnership are being asked to. Try to take some comfort in the knowledge that conversions are on their way.
Celebrate and appreciate that we live in a country where equal marriage is a reality and not just a protest ideal. You'll be amazed at how quickly the months will slip by.
Celebrate and appreciate that we live in a country where equal marriage is a reality and not just a protest ideal. You'll be amazed at how quickly the months will slip by.
.jpg)
