Civil Union is governed by the Civil Union Law. The competent authorities are the Registrars who are the District Officers. A civil union, with the exception of the Adoption Law, has the same effects and consequences as if a marriage had taken place under the provisions of the Marriage Law and any reference in the legislation of the Republic to "spouse" is interpreted as a reference also to a civil partner. The law does not determine the gender of persons intending to conduct a civil union.
Application for a civil union
Entering into a civil union
- In order to conduct a civil union, the free consent of the persons is required, as defined by article 5 of the Law. Failure to comply with these conditions may render a civil union invalid or voidable, within the meaning of the Law.
- Conducting a civil union takes place exclusively by appointment, in the District Administration of the district in which one of the persons intending to enter into a civil union resides, or in case they do not reside permanently in Cyprus, at a District Administration of their choice.
- If the Registrar is satisfied with the submitted documents, the interested persons are called to before the Registrar to make a statement that they agree to conduct a civil union and the Registrar reads the relevant text to them, fills-in and signs the civil union form. The form is then signed by two witnesses who have reached the age of 18 and are of sound mind. Witnesses present a passport/identity card or any other personal document that can be used as a means of identifying their details and age.
- The presence during the signing process of other persons may be allowed after consultation with the relevant District Administration. However, the procedure cannot be conducted in a way that adversely affects the proper functioning of the public service.
- The Registrar issues and delivers to both partners a duly sealed and signed copy of the "Certificate of Civil Union" bearing a registration date which is the date on which the procedure before the Registrar is carried out and completed. The validity of the civil union begins from the date of registration indicated in the certificate of civil union.
- The fee for entering into a civil union amounts to €90 and includes the issuance of four copies of the certificate of civil union.
Reissue of a civil union certificate
Partners in a civil union, together or separately, upon a written request to the Civil Registry and Migration Department and upon the payment of €15 fee, can obtain from an additional certified copy of the certificate of civil union.
Civil union dissolution
Civil union can be dissolved as follows:
- By a common statement of the partners to dissolve the civil union, as described below,
- by decree of the Court of the district in which it has been conducted,
- automatically, in the event of a marriage between the partners,
- with the death of one or both partners.
Civil union dissolution by a common statement of the partners
- The common statement of the partners for the dissolution of the civil union is made in person before the Registrar before whom the civil partnership has been conducted and at least two witnesses who have reached the age of 18 and are of sound mind. Witnesses present a passport/identity card or any other personal document that can be used as a means of identifying their details and age.
- With the registration of the common statement, a Confirmation for Submitting a Common Statement to Dissolve a Civil Union is delivered to the interested persons in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the Registrar or an authorized representative.
- The dissolution takes effect 60 days from the date of entry of the common statement in the Registry, unless the interested persons withdraw the common statement with another written common statement, which is done using the same procedure.