<P> Civil partnerships in the United Kingdom , granted under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 , allow same - sex couples to obtain essentially the same rights and responsibilities as civil marriage . Civil partners are entitled to the same property rights as married opposite - sex couples , the same exemption as married couples on inheritance tax , social security and pension benefits , and also the ability to get parental responsibility for a partner 's children , as well as responsibility for reasonable maintenance of one 's partner and their children , tenancy rights , full life insurance recognition , next of kin rights in hospitals , and others . There is a formal process for dissolving partnerships akin to divorce . </P>
<P> Civil partnerships in the United Kingdom , granted under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 , allow same - sex couples to obtain essentially the same rights and responsibilities as civil marriage . Civil partners are entitled to the same property rights as married opposite - sex couples , the same exemption as married couples on inheritance tax , social security and pension benefits , and also the ability to get parental responsibility for a partner 's children , as well as responsibility for reasonable maintenance of one 's partner and their children , tenancy rights , full life insurance recognition , next of kin rights in hospitals , and others . There is a formal process for dissolving partnerships akin to divorce . </P>
when were civil partnerships allowed in the uk
when were civil partnerships allowed in the uk
2004
2004