Civil Partnership

Declaration of a civil partnership

Who can enter into a domestic partnership (PACS)?

According to the law of 9 July 2004 modified by the law of 3 August 2010, the two partners, of different sex or of the same sex, appear together before the civil registrar of their common residence and declare their partnership personally and jointly and, if applicable, the existence of an agreement dealing with the property effects of their partnership, if such an agreement is concluded between them.

Documents to be provided

  • identity card for EU nationals – passport for non-EU nationals
  • the common legal residence of the future partners will be verified by the civil registrar with the help of their valid residence permits and by consulting the Répertoire National des Personnes Physiques (National Register of Natural Persons) when the documents are handed over. In case of inconsistencies, a certificate of residence must be provided
  • a full copy of the birth certificate dated less than 3 months (Luxembourg and France) and less than 6 months for certificates drawn up abroad, if applicable: a certificate of celibacy
  • a certificate  attesting that neither of the two persons has registered another partnership with another person in the Grand Duchy, only for persons who do not have a birth certificate with a Luxembourg municipality. This certificate can be requested by mail addressed to Cité judiciaire, Bât. CR, Parquet Général, Service du Répertoire Civil, L-2080 Luxembourg (tel. 475981-341)
  • declaration of honour, signed by the partners either before the civil registrar or before a notary, that there is no relationship between them which would constitute a legal impediment to registering the partnership
  • if applicable: proof of the existence of an agreement dealing with property effects

For divorced persons:

  • the full copy of the dissolved marriage certificate mentioning the divorce or the full copy of the divorce transcript

For widows:

  • the death certificate or the birth certificate of the deceased spouse mentioning the death

For persons who have already entered into a partnership before 1 November 2010:

  • a recent certificate from the Civil Register recording the dissolution of the declared partnership

For foreign nationals:

  • a certificate issued by the competent foreign authority stating that they are not involved in a partnership or other form of community of life contracted abroad. Failing this: a certificate of custom issued by the competent foreign authorities to the effect that the persons fulfill the conditions for contracting a marriage under the law of their country of origin and that this legislation does not recognize a partnership or similar living arrangement,

All foreign documents must be translated into French, German or English by a sworn  translator, or an international copy.

Download the full list here.

Additional information

The civil registrar records the declaration of partnership on plain paper and sends it to the Civil Register within three days. The partnership begins to produce its legal effects as soon as it is registered in the Civil Register. After receiving the notice of registration in the Civil Register, a certificate of registered partnership will be sent to the partners by post.

Neither the agreement nor the documents submitted are kept by the civil registrar. They are given to the partners after verification. It is therefore up to them to ensure that they keep them themselves, or even to deposit them with a notary, a lawyer or a person they trust.

For further Information:

guichet.lu