Safekipedia

Civil union

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A photograph of two men sitting together in Istria, Croatia, showcasing a moment of companionship in a relaxed setting.

A civil union is a legal arrangement that is similar to marriage. It gives couples many of the same rights as married people, although sometimes there are differences, like rules about adopting children. Countries and states that allow civil unions often recognize similar arrangements from other places. For example, the marriages of same-sex couples done in another country might be seen as civil unions somewhere else.

Gay couple in Croatia, which allows civil partnerships but not same-sex marriage

Civil unions were created by law in many developed countries to give legal recognition to relationships formed by same-sex couples. This helps them share rights, benefits, and responsibilities. In 1989, Denmark was the first country to legalize civil unions. Later, many other countries followed. In Brazil, civil unions for opposite-sex couples began in 2002 and were expanded to include same-sex couples in 2011. Over time, in most places that had civil unions, they were either added to or replaced by allowing same-sex marriage. Supporters of equal rights for LGBT people often see civil unions as an important first step toward marriage equality, even though some think it is not exactly the same as being allowed to marry.

Overview and terminology

Civil unions are special arrangements that are similar to marriage, giving couples many of the same rights. Different countries and states use different names for these arrangements, like "civil partnerships," "registered partnerships," or "domestic partnerships." Some places let same-sex couples adopt children, while others do not.

The notion of civil unions is rejected by some, such as this protester at a large demonstration in New York City against California Proposition 8.

In the United States, the idea of civil unions started in Vermont in 2000, mainly for same-sex couples. Some people think civil unions are not as good as marriage because they are seen as separate, even if they give similar rights. Others believe they are a practical way to give same-sex couples important legal protections, like being able to visit each other in the hospital or inherit property. However, many still feel that the word "marriage" is important because it shows equal respect.

Main article: Civil partnership

List of jurisdictions recognizing same-sex unions but not same-sex marriage

As of June 12, 2025, some places allow special legal agreements for couples who love each other but do not allow marriage for everyone.

In Israel, couples who love each other cannot get married by the government, but they can get married in other countries. Also, couples living together might get most of the same rights as married couples.

List of jurisdictions recognizing same-sex unions

Main article: Same-sex union legislation

This section lists countries and areas that have allowed special kinds of partnerships for couples who are not married. These partnerships give some or all of the same rights as marriage.

Here are some places that once had these special partnerships but stopped after allowing everyone to get married:

Europe

Americas

Asia

Oceania

Case studies

Argentina

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Argentina

Since 2003, the Argentine province of Río Negro and the city of Buenos Aires allow partnerships for couples. The City of Villa Carlos Paz (Córdoba) allowed it from 2007. Since 2009, the city of Río Cuarto (Córdoba) allows partnerships for couples.

Australia

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Australia

All levels of Australian governments under nearly all Australian statutes recognise couples as partners since 2009. From 1 July 2009, social security recognised couples equally.

Registered partnership recognition in state governments

Registered partnership recognition in five local government areas within Australia

Brazil

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Brazil

Living together grants benefits as family members in Brazil since 2002. It is known as when both parts are legally allowed to marry, and as when at least one part is legally not allowed to do so. Living together grants all rights marriage gives, with the exception of automatic choice for one of four systems of property share married couples have, and automatic right to inheritance. Potential confusion might arise regarding wording, given how when Brazilian Portuguese refers to the term , it tends to be short for , or marriage. Couples that have at least one child registered as a descendant of both parts might also have access to or rights.

Partnerships in Brazil are legally recognised nationwide since May 5, 2011. Brazil’s highest court voted 10–0 with one not voting to allow same-sex couples the same rights as married couples, following recognition of such relationships that dates as far back as 2004. The decision gave couples in such relationships the same financial and social rights enjoyed by those in couples. A partnership between two women and one man was reported in August 2012, though its legality was doubted.

Canada

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Canada

In Canada:

were extended to couples before the enactment of the federal Marriage Act which legalized same-sex marriage in Canada nationally. The 1994 proposed Statute Amendment Act in Ontario was a notable early attempt to introduce a status similar to partnerships. It was supported by the provincial government but was not passed.

Some areas changed their family law to extend benefits to couples that were equivalent to those granted to unmarried couples without establishing a specific name for the partnership. For example, Ontario was required to change its family law in 1999 in response to the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling in M v H.

Colombia

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Colombia

In 2007, Colombia came close to passing a law granting legal recognition to couples, but the bill did not pass in one house of the national legislature. However, a court decision in October 2007 extended social security and health insurance rights to couples. On January 29, 2009, the Constitutional Court ruled that living together couples must be given all rights offered to unmarried couples, making Colombia the first Latin American country to fully grant this right to all its citizens. Couples can claim these rights after living together for two years. Colombia has since approved marriage.

Costa Rica

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Costa Rica

The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica passed a bill in early July 2013 that "confers social rights and benefits of a partnership, free from discrimination", language inserted by lawmaker José María Villalta Florez-Estrada of the Broad Front party. After the bill passed, several media outlets reported that conservative lawmakers realized the bill's implications for partnerships and urged President Laura Chinchilla, who is set to face Villalta in the 2014 election, to use her veto power to stop the bill from becoming law. Chinchilla, who has suggested the courts should determine the legality of partnerships in Costa Rica, refused and signed the bill into law on 4 July. A couple has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Justice of Costa Rica asking that their partnership be recognized under the new law. Activists reacting to the law said it needs to survive a constitutional challenge in court. Some lawyers stated that couples will "still lack legal capacity" to formalize their partnerships, despite passage of the bill.

Ecuador

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Ecuador

The 2008 Constitution of Ecuador enacted partnerships between two people without regard to gender, giving couples the same rights as married couples except for the right to adopt.

Europe

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe

In Europe:

Andorra

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Andorra

Austria

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Austria

In 2018, Minister of Justice Josef Moser announced that both marriage and registered partnership would be open to all. This occurred because Helga Ratzenböck and Martin Seydl have been appealing for years in court for a registered partnership in Austria. At the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg they attempted to sue Austria for discrimination against their sexuality, because they were a couple and were excluded from the benefits of registered partnership, but this did not succeed. Only when the Constitutional Court of Austria opened up marriage to all in December 2018 registered partnerships also become possible for couples. After 35 years of living together, the two entered into a registered partnership in 2019.

Croatia

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Croatia

Cyprus

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Cyprus

Czech Republic

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in the Czech Republic

Denmark

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Denmark

Partnerships were introduced in Denmark by law on 7 June 1989, the world's first such law, and came into effect on 1 October 1989. On 7 June 2012, the law was replaced by a new marriage law, which came into effect on 15 June 2012. Registered partnership was by ceremony only, but the Church of Denmark allowed priests to perform blessings of couples, as it stated that the church blesses people, not institutions. The new law makes marriages in churches possible, but allows vicars to decline marriages of couples in their church. On 17 March 2009, the Folketing introduced a bill that gave couples in registered partnerships the right to adopt jointly. This bill was approved on 4 May 2010 and took effect on 1 July 2010.

Estonia

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Estonia

Registered partnerships that provide some of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage have been available to couples since 1 January 2016.

France

Main article: Civil solidarity pact

The French law providing benefits to couples also applies to couples who choose this form of partnership over marriage. Known as the "Pacte civil de solidarité" (PACS), it is more easily ended than the process applying to marriage. Tax benefits start right away (only from 2007 on), while immigration benefits start only after the contract has been in effect for one year. The partners are required to have a common address, making it difficult for non-citizens to use this law as a means to a residence permit, and difficult for citizens to gain the right to live with a non-citizen partner – especially since the contract does not automatically give immigration rights, as marriage does. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of marriages decreased while the number of PACS strongly increased. In 2010, there were 3 PACS for every 4 marriages celebrated in France. Especially amongst couples PACS is very popular, with 96 out of 100 PACS couples being in the year 2019.

Germany

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Germany

Partnerships in Germany began in 2001.

In 2017, registered life partnership was replaced with marriage, with any couple regardless of sex allowed to marry.

Greece

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Greece

Greek parliament voted in favor of a Cohabitation Pact (Greek: Σύμφωνο Συμβίωσης) giving almost the same rights as marriage to couples regardless of their sex. The draft was approved in the relevant Greek parliamentary committee, and during voting on 22 December 2015, the law was passed with 194 positive votes (out of 300).

Hungary

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Hungary

Partnerships in Hungary began in 2009.

Iceland

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Iceland

Iceland does not have a comprehensive legal act on partnerships (Icelandic: óvígð sambúð). Instead, various laws deal with partnerships and their meaning. When Iceland legalised marriages in 2010, the Act on Registered Partnerships (87/1996) was removed. Registered partnerships (Icelandic: staðfest samvist) had been the principal legal unions for partners since the law was passed in 1996.

Ireland

In 2010, the lower house of the Irish Parliament Dáil Éireann passed the bill on Partnerships unanimously. This bill allows partnerships of couples, and establishes an extensive package of rights, obligations and protections for couples who register as partners. The bill passed all stages of in both Houses of the Oireachtas, and came into effect on 1 January 2011. The first partnership between two men was registered on 7 February 2011. Marriage has been legal in Ireland since 2015 following a referendum.

Italy

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Italy

Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in Italy began in 2016.

Liechtenstein

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Liechtenstein

Partnerships in Liechtenstein began in 2011.

Monaco

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Monaco

Partnerships in Monaco began in 2020.

Montenegro

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Montenegro

Partnerships in Montenegro began in 2020.

Netherlands

Main article: Same-sex marriage in the Netherlands

In 2001, the Netherlands passed a law allowing couples to marry, in addition to its 1998 "registered partnership" law (partnership) for both couples and couples.

Poland

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland

In 2003, Senator Maria Szyszkowska proposed a bill which would legalize same-sex partnerships in Poland. The project was approved by the Senate but was never voted upon by the Sejm, as Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz (then the Marshal of the Sejm) did not bring it for the deliberation. In 2008, when asked about partnerships, First Cabinet of Donald Tusk spokeswoman Agnieszka Liszka answered: "Council of Ministers did not and would not take care of that matter."

On January 25, 2013, Sejm voted upon three separate bills regarding same-sex partnerships in Poland: by the centre-left Democratic Left Alliance, liberal Palikot's Movement and centre-right Civic Platform. The first bill had 283 against, 137 for, 30 abstaining. The second had 276 against, 150 for, 23 abstaining. The third had 228 against, 211 for, 10 abstaining. All three were not passed, mainly with the votes of centre-right, right-wing and conservative parties: Polish People's Party, Law and Justice and United Poland. A majority of deputies from the ruling centre-right Civic Platform also voted against the first two bills. The Roman Catholic Church in Poland, Polish Orthodox Church, and Polish Muslims opposed all three bills.

In March 2013, Prime Minister Donald Tusk officially stated that a new project of partnerships bill would be presented to the parliament "in two months time" (in May 2013), but as of April 2014[update][needs update] no such initiatives took place. In a 2013 opinion poll conducted by CBOS, 68% of Poles were against couples publicly showing their way of life, 65% of Poles were against same-sex partnerships, 72% were against marriage and 88% were against adoption by couples. In December 2014, the Sejm refused to deal with a partnerships bill proposed by Your Movement, with 235 MPs voting against debating the bill, and 185 MPs voting for. In May 2015, the Sejm again refused to deal with the topic, with 215 MPs voting against and only 146 for. The Prime Minister, Ewa Kopacz, said that partnerships are an issue for the next parliament to deal with.

San Marino

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in San Marino

San Marino has recognized partnerships for both couples and couples since December 2018.

Slovenia

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Slovenia

Slovenia recognized partnerships since 2006.

Switzerland

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Switzerland

The Canton of Geneva has a law on the cantonal level, the Partenariat cantonal (the Cantonal Domestic Partnership), since 2001. It grants unmarried couples, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, many of the rights, responsibilities and protections that married couples have. However, it does not allow benefits in taxation, social security, or health insurance premiums (unlike the federal law). Geneva was the first Canton to recognise couples through this law. On September 22, 2002, voters in the Swiss canton of Zurich voted to extend a number of marriage rights to partners, including tax, inheritance, and social security benefits. The law is limited to couples, and both partners must have lived in the canton for six months and formally commit to running a household together and supporting and aiding each another. On November 12, 2003, the Constituent assembly of the Canton of Fribourg granted Registered Partnership as a constitutional right under the Article 14.

On January 27, 2004, the Canton of Neuchâtel voted for a law on the cantonal level, the Partenariat enregistré (the Cantonal Registered Partnership). It grants unmarried couples, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, the same rights as married couple for cantonal matters such as responsibilities and protections, benefits in taxation, social security, or health insurance premiums. On June 5, 2005, voters extended this right to the whole of Switzerland through a federal referendum. This was the first time that the partnership laws were affirmed in a nationwide referendum in any country. The Federal Domestic Partnership Law, reserved for couples, came into force on January 1, 2007. It grants the same rights as marriage, but full joint adoption rights, facilitated naturalization and medically assisted procreation are explicitly forbidden for domestic partners.

In 2017, the Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga addressed the issue that partnership is not open yet for couples, in collaboration with experts at the University of Bern. In Geneva and Neuchâtel a type of partnership called cantonal PACS is available to and couples. The cantonal PACS effects are limited to cantonal law. The cantonal PACS, however, has no impact on civil status and inheritance, which are regulated by federal law. On September 26, 2021, the people of Switzerland approved on national referendum the initiative "Marriage for all", which would grant marriage and adoption rights for couples. This initiative would be made effective on July 1, 2022.

United Kingdom

Main article: Civil partnership in the United Kingdom

In 2003, the British government announced plans to introduce partnerships which would allow couples the rights and responsibilities resulting from marriage. The Partnership Bill was introduced into the House of Lords on 30 March 2004. After considering amendments made by the House of Commons, it was passed by the House of Lords, its final legislative step, on 17 November 2004, and received royal assent on 18 November. The Act came into force on 5 December 2005, and couples, but not couples, were able to form the partnerships from 19 December 2005 in Northern Ireland, 20 December 2005 in Scotland and 21 December 2005 in England and Wales. Separate provisions were included in the first Finance Act 2005 to allow regulations to be made to amend tax laws to give the same tax advantages and disadvantages to couples in partnerships as apply to married couples. At that time, the Church of England, the state church in England, permitted clergy to enter into couples partnerships.

Aside from the manner in which couples register and the non-use of the word "marriage", partnerships grant most of the same legal rights as marriage and generally operate under the same constrictions (one difference being that marriage requires dissolution by divorce while a partnership does not). It is not legal to be in both a partnership and a marriage at the same time. Nevertheless, some of those in favour of legal marriage object that partnerships do not grant full equality. Both marriages and partnerships of other nations will be automatically considered partnerships under UK law providing they came within Section 20 of the Act. This means, in some cases, non-Britons from nations with partnerships will have greater rights in the UK than in their native countries. For example, a Vermont partnership would have legal standing in the UK; however, in cases where one partner was American and the other British, the Vermont partnership would not provide the Briton with right of abode in Vermont (or any other US state or territory), whereas it would provide the American with right of abode in the UK.

In September 2011, the succeeding coalition government announced its intention to legalise marriage in England and Wales by 2015 at the latest. The future status of partnerships is unclear. The Scottish Government, which has devolved responsibility for such legislation, held a consultation concerning both civil and religious marriage in the autumn of 2011.[when?] Legislation to allow marriage in England and Wales was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July 2013 and came into force on 13 March 2014, and the first marriages took place on 29 March 2014. The first marriages in Scotland took place in December 2014. In June 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that restricting partnerships to couples was discriminatory. In response, the Prime Minister announced in October 2018 that partnerships would be opened to couples in England. As of 31st December 2019 it is possible for both couples and couples to enter into a partnership in England.

Mexico

Main articles: Same-sex marriage in Mexico and Same-sex marriage in Mexico City

On 9 November 2006, Mexico City's unicameral Legislative Assembly passed and approved (43–17) a bill legalizing partnerships, under the name Ley de Sociedades de Convivencia (Law for Co-existence Partnerships), which became effective on 16 March 2007. The law gives property and inheritance rights to couples. On 11 January 2007, the northern state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, passed a similar bill (20–13), under the name Pacto Civil de Solidaridad (Civil Pact of Solidarity). Unlike Mexico City's law, once couples have registered in Coahuila, the state protects their rights no matter where they live in the country. Twenty days after the law had passed,[when?] the country's first partnership took place in Saltillo, Coahuila. Partnerships have been proposed in at least six states since 2006. In Colima, governor Mario Anguiano Moreno agreed to discuss the legalization of partnerships and adoption by couples.[when?] In Jalisco, local congress approved on 31 October 2013 the Free Coexistence Act, which allows the performance of partnerships in the state.

New Zealand

On 9 December 2004, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Union Bill, establishing unions for couples and couples. The debate over Unions was highly divisive in New Zealand, inspiring great public emotion both for and against the passing. A companion bill, the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill was passed shortly thereafter to remove discriminatory provisions on the basis of relationship status from a range of statutes and regulations. As a result of these bills, all couples in New Zealand, whether married, in a union, or in a de facto partnership, now generally enjoy the same rights and undertake the same obligations. These rights extend to immigration, next-of-kin status, social welfare, matrimonial property and other areas. The Union Act 2004 came into effect on 26 April 2005 with the first unions able to occur from Friday 29 April 2005.

South Africa

Main article: Civil partnership in South Africa

In South Africa, a "union" is either a marriage or a civil partnership, although the term "union" is commonly used when "civil partnership" is meant. and couples may register their unions either as marriages or as civil partnerships. This was achieved through the Union Act, 2006. In laws where "marriage" is mentioned, its definition now retroactively includes civil partnerships.

United States

Main articles: Same-sex unions in the United States and Domestic partnership in the United States

The first unions in the United States were offered by the state of Vermont in 2000. The federal government does not recognize these unions. By the end of 2006, Connecticut and New Jersey had also enacted union laws; New Hampshire followed in 2007. Furthermore, California's domestic partnership law had been expanded to the point that it became practically a union law as well. The same might be said[by whom?] for domestic partnership in the District of Columbia, domestic partnership in Washington, and domestic partnership in Oregon. Jurisdictions in the U.S. that offer unions or domestic partnerships granting nearly all of the state-recognized rights of marriage to couples include:

States in the U.S. with domestic partnerships or similar status granting some of the rights of marriage include:

Since October 2014, all states that provide for unions, domestic partnerships, or similar arrangements between partners also allow partners to legally wed.

Arizona

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Arizona

In 2013, Bisbee became the first city in Arizona to legalize unions for couples. After its passage, the state's Attorney General, Tom Horne, threatened to challenge the law in court, arguing that it violated the state's constitution. However, the Attorney General agreed to withdraw the challenge after Bisbee amended the law, and the union ordinance was approved.

Following Bisbee, also in 2013, Tucson became the second municipality to legalize unions. Jerome followed in the same year. Also in 2013, Clarkdale and Cottonwood were the next cities in the Verde Valley to pass unions. A measure to allow unions failed in Camp Verde by a split 3–3 vote in the city council making it the only city in the Verde Valley to not have passed the bill.

Sedona passed unions in September 2013. The city of Tempe considered legal advice about a union ordinance, but it did not pass a bill. After the legalization of marriage in Arizona, unions may continue to be registered in the cities that had legalized the ordinances.

California

Main article: Domestic partnership in California

In California, where domestic partnership (DP) has been available to couples and certain couples since 2000, a wholesale revision of the law in 2005 made it substantially equivalent to marriage at the state level. In 2007, the Legislature took a further step when it required couples to file state income taxes jointly. (Couples must continue to file federal taxes as individuals.) In the May 2008 In re Marriage Cases decision, the state supreme court noted nine differences between Domestic Partnerships and same-sex marriage in state law, including a cohabitation requirement for domestic partners, access to CalPERS long-term care insurance (but not CalPERS in general), and the lack of an equivalent to California's "confidential marriage" institution. The cohabitation requirement was dropped on January 1, 2012, and a "confidential option" for domestic partners became available the same day.

Colorado

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Colorado

A bill to establish unions for couples passed both chambers of the Colorado legislature and was signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper. Unions began on May 1, 2013.

Connecticut

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Connecticut

In 2005, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill to adopt unions in Connecticut. Connecticut's unions were identical to marriage and provided all of the same rights and responsibilities except for the title. Connecticut was the first state in the U.S. to voluntarily pass a same-sex union law through the legislature without any immediate court intervention. The law was repealed on October 1, 2010, and replaced with a law making marriage gender-neutral.

Delaware

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Delaware

Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed a union bill on May 12, 2011, that establishes unions in the state effective January 1, 2012. The law was repealed on July 1, 2014, and replaced with a law making marriage gender-neutral.

District of Columbia

Main article: Same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia

Same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia was legalized on December 18, 2009. Marriage licenses became available on March 3, 2010, and marriages began on March 9, 2010. Legislation on domestic partnerships in the District of Columbia was first passed in 1992, implemented in 2002, and expanded over time up to 2009.

Hawaii

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Hawaii

Hawaii legalized unions for couples on January 1, 2012. Same-sex marriage became legal on December 2, 2013.

Illinois

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Illinois

On December 1, 2010, the Illinois state senate passed SB1716 – the "Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Union Act" – in a 32–24–1 vote, just one day after the Illinois House of Representatives did the same in a 61–52–2 vote. On January 31, 2011, Illinois state Governor Pat Quinn signed SB1716 into law, establishing unions for couples. The new law came into effect on June 1, 2011. The provision allowing couples to establish a union effectively doubles as a tool for widowed seniors to keep survivor's benefits from a marriage while gaining marital rights at the state level with another partner.

Maine

Main article: Domestic partnership in Maine

Maine legalized domestic partnership for couples in 2004. Maine's domestic partnership registry only provides limited rights, most of which are aimed at protecting couples' security in emergency situations.

New Hampshire

Main article: Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire

On April 26, 2007, the New Hampshire General Court (state legislature) passed a union bill, and Governor John Lynch signed the bill into law on May 31, 2007. At the time, New Hampshire was "... the first state to embrace same-sex unions without a court order or the threat of one". The New Hampshire union legislation became effective on January 1, 2008. The law was replaced by the same-sex marriage law on January 1, 2010.

New Jersey

Main article: Same-sex marriage in New Jersey

On October 25, 2006, the Supreme Court of New Jersey gave New Jersey lawmakers 180 days to rewrite the state's marriage laws, either including couples or creating a new system of unions for them. On December 14 the Legislature passed a bill establishing unions in New Jersey, which was signed into law by Governor Jon Corzine on December 21, 2006. The first unions took place on February 19, 2007. There are differences between unions and domestic partnerships. In 2004, the state of New Jersey enacted a domestic partnership law, the Domestic Partnership Act, offering certain limited rights and benefits to couples. In 2006, however, after the state Supreme Court's ruling in Lewis vs. Harris that couples must be extended all the rights and benefits of marriage, the Legislature passed a union law, the Union Act, effective in 2007, which was an attempt to satisfy the court's ruling.

Nevada

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Nevada

On May 31, 2009, the Nevada legislature overrode Governor Jim Gibbons' veto of a domestic partnership bill. The bill allows registered domestic partners, whether they are a couple or couple, to have most of the state level rights and responsibilities afforded to married couples. It does not require any other entity to provide rights or benefits afforded to married individuals. This has left the partnership bill ineffective compared to those of other states. The law took effect on 1 October 2009.

Oregon

Main article: Domestic partnership in Oregon

Since 4 February 2008, Oregon offers domestic partnerships which grant nearly all of the state-recognized rights of marriage to couples.

Rhode Island

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Rhode Island

Unions were permitted in Rhode Island since July 1, 2011 until July 1, 2013.

Vermont

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Vermont

The union law that was passed in the Vermont General Assembly in 2000 was a response to the Vermont Supreme Court ruling in Baker v. Vermont, requiring that the state grant couples the same rights and privileges accorded to married couples under the law. A Vermont union is nearly identical to a legal marriage, as far as the rights and responsibilities for which state law, not federal law, is responsible are concerned. It grants partners next-of-kin rights and other protections that heterosexual married couples also receive. Despite the "full faith and credit" clause of the United States Constitution, unions are generally not recognized outside Vermont in the absence of specific legislation. Opponents of the law have supported the Defense of Marriage Act and the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment in order to prevent obligatory recognition of couples in other jurisdictions. This means that many of the advantages of marriage, which fall in the federal jurisdiction (over 1,100 federal laws, such as joint federal income tax returns, visas and work permits for the foreign partner of a U.S. citizen, etc.), are not extended to the partners of a Vermont union. Regarding voluntary recognition of the union in other jurisdictions, New York City's Domestic Partnership Law, passed in 2002, recognizes unions formalized in other jurisdictions. Germany's international civil law (EGBGB) also accords to Vermont unions the same benefits and responsibilities that apply in Vermont, as long as they do not exceed the standard accorded by German law to a German union. The law was replaced by the same-sex marriage law on September 1, 2009.

Washington

Main article: Domestic partnership in Washington (state)

Washington offers domestic partnerships which grant nearly all of the state-recognized rights of marriage to couples. Washington is the first state to have passed a same-sex union bill by a popular vote. Washington legalized same-sex marriage early in 2012, which provided that a couple in a union would have two years to convert their union to a marriage. The law was upheld by popular referendum in November 2012.

Uruguay

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Uruguay

Unions in Uruguay were allowed nationwide from January 2008.

State or territoryOfficial relationship statusYear of enactment
Australian Capital TerritoryYes Civil partnership2008
New South WalesYes Registered relationship2010
QueenslandYes Civil partnership2012
TasmaniaYes Significant relationship2004
VictoriaYes Registered domestic relationship2008
South AustraliaYes Registered relationship2017

National debates

Some countries have talked about whether to let people who are not married have rights similar to married couples. These discussions often focus on whether people in such relationships should have the same benefits, like sharing property or making medical decisions for each other.

Many places also consider if they should recognize similar relationships from other countries, ensuring that people moving between nations keep their rights. This helps people maintain their legal connections no matter where they live.

International standards

Only two countries, Spain and Portugal, signed an agreement in 2007 about how to treat partnerships that are not marriages. This agreement included rights for both same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships.

Related articles

Same-sex marriage in Denmark
Same-sex marriage in Brazil
Marriage
Developed countries
Same-sex marriage
Germany

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Civil union, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.