Now that the commencement order for the Marriage Act 2015 has been set in stone, same-sex couples in Ireland will be able to tie the knot from Monday November 16th. But if you already have a civil partnership, you can also change your marital status. Here's how...

Since the Irish people voted 62% in favour of same-sex-marriage last May, 187 same-sex couples have registered to have a civil partnership.

Those who have already given notice for a civil partnership will now be able to get married instead and couples who have been married abroad will automatically have their marriage recognised in Ireland.

While existing civil partnerships won't automatically be recognised as marriage, the couple can choose to marry, and in those cases the civil partnership will be dissolved.

Follow these steps to covert:

Step 1: Call the nearest Civil Registration Office for appointment to give notice of intention to marry. Find you local office here.

Step 2: Attend Registrars Office and give minimum five days notice of their intention to marry

Step 3: Pay the €50 fee (rather than €200 applicable to new marriages).

Step 4: Arrange ceremony with registrar or other solemnisers (party afterwards optional)

For more information, see this information guide below produced by Ireland's Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN)

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