Malta Independent

Kristina Galea Cavallazzi and Clara Borg became the first gay couple to register their union last Friday.

In a poignant ceremony held in Gozo, Kristina and Clara vowed mutual respect and pledged to take care of each other as a married couple in the presence of family and friends.

The civil union rites were exchanged in Mgarr ix-Xini followed by a reception at Ta’ Cenc Hotel.

On her Facebook page, Kristina shared her joy of her union with Clara, daughter of former European Commissioner Joe Borg.

When President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca signed the bill into law in mid-April, The Malta Independent had reported that the first civil unions were expected in mid-June. Once all the relevant legal notices were published, gay couples started to apply for their civil unions and banns were later published, just like what happens in a marriage between heterosexual couples. Banns have to be published at least six weeks prior to the ceremony.

Once a couple formally applies for civil union, a procedure starts with the banns being published. In the case of Maltese citizens, only ID Cards of both partners are required. As regards foreigners, a birth certificate and a free status certificate is required. These both have to be legalized. The couple has to wait for a period of six weeks from the publication of banns.