The Tasmanian relationship registry at a glance
The following fact sheet on the Tasmanian relationships registry was produced for the information of LGBT people in NSW by the TGLRG on October 11th, 2007. For more information visit the Relationships Tasmania website.
Who can register?
Any two Tasmanian residents who are adults and not already married or in another registered relationship. They do not need to cohabit or be in an existing relationship.
What are the benefits?
Immediate access to the same rights as married couples in state law and a guarantee that these rights will be acknowledged and respected.
Does registration out me?
The registry is open to partners in heterosexual, companionate and familial relationships, as well as same-sex couples. The identity of registered couples is protected by law.
What's the process?
The paper-work and the costs for entering and exiting a registered relationship are virtually the same as marriage. Registered couples receive a certificate called a Deed of Relationship.
Can I have a ceremony?
An official ceremony is not required to enter into a registered relationship. Some Tasmanian registered couples have their own ceremonies when they sign for, or receive, their official Deed of Relationship.
Do I have rights without registering?
In Tasmania, couples may be presumed to be in a significant relationship, and have associated relationship rights, without registering their relationship. But such "de facto" rights are harder to access and easier to challenge in the absence of a Deed of Relationship.
How is the Tasmanian registry different to the Sydney City registry?
Municipal registries like Sydney's are symbolically important but do not offer the wide range of relationship rights and entitlements found in state law.
How is the Tasmanian registry different to marriage or civil unions?
Tasmania's registry was designed specifically to formalise the unions of partners who can't or don't wish to marry. It is available to a much wider range of relationships than marriage or marriage-like civil unions. A relationship registry is not a watered-down substitute for equal marriage, nor is marriage an ideal registry. When the two forms of relationship recognition are available, they will provide same-sex couples with a choice between different but equally valid paths to partnership rights.
Isn't it demeaning to register a relationship like you'd register a dog or a car?
All important life-moments are registered including births, deaths and marriages.
What about rights in Federal law or in other countries?
Tasmanian Deeds of Relationship are not yet comprehensively recognised in federal law, although they can be used to help prove the existence of a relationship in areas like immigration and defence force benefits. Countries like Britain automatically recognise Tasmanian registered relationships as civil unions with full marital rights.
Are other states planning registries?
The Victorian Government is committed to establishing a registry this year, and the Federal ALP is committed to nationally-consistent registries in each state which are recognised in federal law. If you want a registry in NSW contact Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos - P: (02) 9228 4977, F: (02) 9228 3600 or
office@hatzistergos.minister.nsw.gov.au
For more on the Tasmanian registry visit www.relationshipstasmania.org.au