Under new legislation, existing civil partnerships will be able to convert their partnership to marriage on December 10th in England, and at the start of 2015 in Scotland.

Same sex marriages have been legal in England and Wales since March, with Scotland already passing legislation making same-sex marriage legal  from Hogmanay.

Will be Able to Convert to Marriage

Under new rules however couples who have previously had a civil partnership will be able to change their partnership to marriage. The introduction of the conversion to marriage could apply to over 60,000 civil partnerships that are registered throughout the UK.

In Scotland, civil partnerships will be able to be converted to marriage from the 1st January.

Differs From Other Nations

Despite the change in the legal system, the Government are keeping civil partnerships as a separate status for those those who would prefer it marriage. This is a contrast to some other countries and US states that convert civil partnerships into marriages by statute once marriage is legalised.

The first same sex marriages will take place in Scotland on the 31st December, with civil partnerships being able to be converted on the same day.

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