Civil Partnerships Become Registered Relationships

The Civil Partnerships Act 2012 was one of the last pieces of legislation passed by the previous session of Parliament, and it was very quickly amended by the Civil Partnerships and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012, which was one of the first pieces of legislation passed by the new session of Parliament. There are three particular changes introduced by the later Act.

First of all the phrase, Civil Partnership has been replaced by the phrase Registered Relationship. So Queensland no longer has Civil Partnerships, it has Registered Relationships. Any couples who entered into Civil Partnerships before the legislation was amended have automatically been converted to Registered Relationships.

Secondly, the possibility of an official ceremony to celebrate a Registered Relationship has been removed by the amendments. This does not of course prevent informal celebrations, but an official ceremony is no longer a possibility.

The third change is a logical consequence of the second, with no official ceremonies there is no longer a need for Civil Partnership Notaries, which were provided for in the original legislation, and therefore the amendments take out the provisions dealing with that.

What may have been overlooked amongst recent media coverage is that Registered Relationships are available for couples of the opposite sex who choose not to get married as well as for same-sex couples. Entering into a Registered Relationship does have some legal consequences, although the more significant legal issues of property settlement and parenting arrangements remain the province of the federal Family Law Act.

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For legal advice in relation to all family law matters, including de facto situations, property settlement, parenting, surrogacy, divorce, or Binding Financial Agreements (prenuptial agreements) please contact our partner Ian Field on 07 3236 0001 or by e-mail at  ifield@aylwardgame.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions.

What is the Civil Partnerships Act 2012?

The Civil Partnerships Act 2012 was a piece of legislation passed by the previous session of Parliament that established Civil Partnerships in Queensland.

What changes were introduced by the Civil Partnerships and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012?

The Civil Partnerships and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012 replaced the phrase “Civil Partnership” with “Registered Relationship,” removed the possibility of an official ceremony to celebrate a Registered Relationship, and eliminated provisions dealing with Civil Partnership Notaries.

What is a Registered Relationship?

A Registered Relationship is a legally recognised relationship between two people that provides many of the same rights and obligations as marriage.

Who is eligible to enter into a Registered Relationship?

Both same-sex and opposite-sex couples who choose not to get married are eligible to enter into a Registered Relationship.

What legal consequences arise from entering into a Registered Relationship?

Entering into a Registered Relationship has legal consequences related to property, inheritance and other areas of law, but more significant legal issues like property settlement and parenting arrangements are covered by the federal Family Law Act.