(1)For the purposes of this Act an overseas relationship is a relationship which—
(a)is either a specified relationship or a relationship which meets the general conditions, and
(b)is registered (whether before or after the passing of this Act) with a responsible authority in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, by two people—
F1(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii)neither of whom is already a civil partner or lawfully married.
[F2(1A)But, for the purposes of the application of this Act to England and Wales [F3or to Northern Ireland], marriage is not an overseas relationship.]
(2)In this Chapter, “the relevant law” means the law of the country or territory where the relationship is registered (including its rules of private international law).
Textual Amendments
F1S. 212(1)(b)(i) omitted (E.W.) (2.12.2019) by virtue of The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1458), regs. 1(2), 5(2); (N.I.) (13.1.2020) by virtue of The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 17(2)(a) (with regs. 6-9); and (S.) (1.2.2021 for specified purposes, 1.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 15), ss. 2(2), 16; S.S.I. 2020/414, reg. 2(1)(a)(2); S.S.I. 2021/23, reg. 2, sch. (with reg. 3)
F2S. 212(1A) inserted (13.3.2014) by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Consequential and Contrary Provisions and Scotland) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/560), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 29(2)
F3Words in s. 212(1A) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 17(2)(b) (with regs. 6-9)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 212 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Treatment of Overseas Relationships) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3042), art. 5
S. 212 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Treatment of Overseas Relationships) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/531), art. 5(1)
S. 212 applied (with modifications) (S.) (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Overseas Relationships) (Scotland) Order 2005 (S.S.I. 2005/573), art. 3
C2S. 212(1)(b) modified (N.I.) (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 173(2) (with regs. 6-9)
C3S. 212 modified (S.) (1.2.2021) by The Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 (Commencement No. 3, Saving and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/23), regs. 1(2), 4