No, it is a lesser category of formalised relationship - a sort of second-class marriage.
No, you cannot have both a civil union and a marriage at the same time. A civil union is a legally recognized relationship similar to marriage, but they are distinct legal statuses. It is not possible to be in two legal unions simultaneously.
No. A civil union and legal marriage are two different things. If you perform a civil union, then you end up with a civil union, not a same-sex marriage. The only exception is in the states that used to permit only civil unions, but now allow same-sex marriages. In some of those states, existing civil unions were automatically converted to marriages. In at least one other state (Vermont), civil unions remained civil unions and no new civil unions were permitted.
Depending upon where you live, it is either marriage, civil union, civil partnership or domestic partnership.
In the context of Facebook, civil union refers to a relationship status option allowing users to indicate that they are in a legally recognized partnership with another person, similar to marriage but without the religious connotations. It signifies a committed relationship between two individuals that is acknowledged by the state.
Civil unions are the legal partnership that provides the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. Also, it is known as a marriage and, in Europe, a civil partnership. Let's not forget marriage, which also provides the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples.
The term "civil union" is used by several of the United States to describe a legal relationship that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to legal marriage, but which cannot be legally called a "marriage." Civil unions were primarily created for same-sex couples as an alternative to legal marriage, but are not limited to same-sex couples in several states. Several states that permitted civil unions previously have now legalized marriage for same-sex couples.
Yes, through the same procedure as a married couple. For the purposes of immigration, a civil union is treated the same as a legal marriage.
You need to file in court for a "dissolution." Although it is not called a "divorce," the same procedure applies. A civil union is basically a marriage that is not called a "marriage" and a dissolution is a divorce that is not called a "divorce."
In Delaware, the procedure for dissolving a civil union is the same as for dissolving a legal marriage. It is necessary to obtain a divorce decree signed by a judge.
The American Civil Liberties Union ("ACLU") is principally involved in challenging individual state's bans on same-sex marriage.
You cannot. Iowa does not issue civil union licenses. A same-sex couple (or an opposite-sex couple) can get a legal marriage license in Iowa.
Same-sex marriage is now legal in Connecticut. On October 1, 2010, all existing civil unions in Connecticut were legally transformed into marriages. Any civil union performed in another state is now recognized as a full legal marriage in Connecticut.