Registry offices in Birmingham and Camden have taken the lead in offering same-sex Civil Partnership Ceremonies, after the government’s announcement on Monday that the first Civil Partnerships will take place before Christmas.

The Civil Partnership Act will come into effect on 5 December 2005, allowing for the first ceremonies to take place on 21 December 2005, after the required 15-day waiting period.

Camden Council yesterday said that it intends to be one of the first authorities in the country to take requests from same-sex couples for the new ceremonies and that any Camden resident could leave their details with the council’s Registry Office.

“It is unfair that people in long-term and loving relationships should be treated differently because of their sexuality,” said Camden Councillor Theo Blackwell.

“Camden Council wants this new ceremony brought in as soon as possible. It will let same-sex couples to enjoy a legal recognition of their relationship and provide practical and financial benefits like inheritance, pension and employment rights,” he added.

Meanwhile, Birmingham's register office has asked gay sex couples to make early provisional bookings with them, saying that its registration service is an early contact point for people wishing to arrange partnership registration.

"I am pleased that Birmingham is one of the first cities prepared to take provisional bookings for registered partnerships,” said Birmingham Councillor Neil Eustace.

"Under this Act, same-sex couples will be afforded the same rights, protection and expression of commitment to their loved one as people who are married, which is only fair and just."

The process of entering into a civil partnership will be administered by the local registration service.  On the day of registration, each member of the couple will sign in the presence of the registration officer and two witnesses. Guidance on the structure and nature of Civil Partnership Ceremonies has yet to be produced.