Article 1

Two individuals of the same se can enter into confirmed cohabitation.

Article 2

Subject to the provision of the second paragraph the provisions of Chapter II of the marriage Act shall apply as regards the conditions under which cohabitation may be confirmed according to this Law.

Cohabitation can only be confirmed if at least one of the individuals concerned is an Icelandic national with home of record in this country.

Article 3

Prior to confirmation the parties concerned shall submit a certificate to the effect that an examination has taken place as regards the conditions set for confirmed cohabitation.

The provisions of Chapter III of the Marriage Act shall apply to the procedures for examination of the conditions set for confirmed cohabitation.

The Minister of Justice shall issue rules providing in further detail for examination of the conditions set for confirmed cohabitation.

Article 4

Cohabitation is confirmed by magistrates or their deputies with legal training.

The provisions of Articles 21-26 of the Marriage Act shall apply to the confirmation procedure, as applicable.

Article 5

Subject to the provisions of Article, 6 confirmation of cohabitation has the same legal effects as marriage. The provisions of law relating to marriage and spouses shall apply to confirmed cohabitation and individuals in confirmed cohabitation.

Article 6

The provisions of the Adoption Act relating spouses and of statute provisions relating to artificial insemination shall not apply to confirmed cohabitation.

Provisions of international agreements to which Iceland is a party shall not apply to confirmed cohabitation unless approved by the other party.

Article 7

Confirmed cohabitation is terminated with the death of one person in confirmed cohabitation, by annulment of confirmed cohabitation, by annulment of confirmed cohabitation, 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 the annulment and termination of confirmed cohabitation. Other provisions of law relating to termination of marriage and the legal effects thereof shall apply to termination of confirmed cohabitation.

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 confirmed cohabitation as envisaged in Article 113 of that Act may always be brought in Iceland if the cohabitation has been confirmed 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 cohabitation which has been confirmed in Iceland.

Article 9

This Law shall enter into effect 27 June 1996.

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This is the official translation.
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