(It should be noted that this act was changed in 2008 so that priests and other members of registered religious organizations can marry two members of the same sex. The act is no. 55/2008 but has not been translated into English.)
Article 1
Two persons of the same sex can enter into registered partnership.
Article 2
Subject to the provisions of the second paragraph, the provisions of Chapter II of the Marriage Act shall apply as regards the conditions under which partnership may be registered according to this Act.
[Partnership can only be registered if:
a) both or at least one of the individuals concerned is an Icelandic national residing in this country; and
b) both the individuals concerned have resided in Iceland for the two years preceding the registration.
For the purposes of subparagraph (a) of the second paragraph, persons of Danish, Norwegian or Swedish nationality shall enjoy the same rights as Icelandic nationals. The Minister of Justice may decide by administrative provisions that nationals of other countries, where similar legislation on registered partnership is in effect, shall also enjoy the same rights as Icelandic nationals.]1)
1) Act No. 52/2000, Article 1.
Article 3
Prior to registration, the persons concerned shall submit a certificate to the effect that an examination has taken place as regards the conditions set for registered partnership.
The provisions of Chapter III of the Marriage Act shall apply to the procedures for examination of the conditions set for registered partnership.
The Minister of Justice shall issue rules providing in further detail for examination of the conditions set for registered partnership.
Article 4
Partnership shall be registered by magistrates or their deputies with legal training.
The provisions of Articles 21 - 26 of the Marriage Act shall apply to the registration procedure as applicable.
Article 5
Subject to the provisions of Article, 6 registration of partnership has the same legal effects as marriage. The provisions of law relating to marriage and spouses shall apply to registered partnership and individuals in registered partnership.
Article 6
[The provisions of the Adoption Act relating to spouses shall not apply to registered partnership. A person in registered partnership can however adopt a child of the other partner of whom that partner has custody, provided the child has not been adopted from another country. Nor shall statute provisions on artificial insemination apply to registered partnership.
Statute provisions involving particular rules depending on the sex of a married spouse shall not apply to registered partnership.]1)
Provisions of international agreements to which Iceland is a party shall not apply to registered partnership unless approved by the other party.
1) Act No. 52/2000, Article 2.
Article 7
Registered partnership shall terminate with the death of one person in registered partnership, by annulment of registered partnership, or by divorce.
Article 8
Subject to the provisions of the second to fourth paragraphs, the provisions of the Marriage Act relating to annulment of marriage, separation, divorce, and financial settlement by reason of termination of marriage, shall apply to annulment and termination of registered partnership. Other provisions of law relating to termination of marriage and the legal effects thereof shall apply to termination of registered partnership.
Conciliation shall be attempted by a magistrate or a judge, as provided for in Article 42 of the Marriage Act.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 114 of the Marriage Act, legal action on account of registered partnership as envisaged in Article 113 of that Act may always be brought in Iceland if the partnership has been registered in Iceland.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 123 of the Marriage Act, Icelandic administrative authorities shall always be competent to resolve issues relating to partnership which has been registered in Iceland.
Article 9
This Act shall enter into effect 27 June 1996
Source: Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, http://eng.domsmalaraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/nr/117.