Some areas of the law treat you the same, married, civil partnered, or not - welfare benefits and child support, for example. But in many other areas there are big differences.

Here's an overview of the extent of the differences. Click on the topics to find out more.

*This information does not apply to heterosexual couples living together in Scotland. More information can be found here.

Big differences

Some differences

Few differences

Banking		Child support
Debts		Separation
Taxes		Leaving a Will
Benefits		Inheritance
Pensions		Immigration
Buying property		Health & sickness
Renting property		Changing your name
Birth registration		Your child's name
Parental responsibility

	www.marriedornot.org.uk

Married or not is part of LivingTogether - a campaign led by Advicenow.org.uk to inform cohabiting couples of their legal rights. The Nuffield Foundation and the Department for Constitutional Affairs supported One Plus One's development of material for Married or Not. The legal information on this site was checked by Sarah Forster.