Yes. Same-sex marriage is legal in Washington state effective November 6, 2012. As with other states that have legalized same-sex marriage, Washington will also recognize out-of-state civil unions and comprehensive domestic partnerships that are substantially similar to marriage as legal marriages.
Also, domestic partnerships have been legal in Washington since July 23, 2007.
Yes, Domestic Partnerships were first legalized in Washington DC on June 11, 1992, with the enactment of the "Health Benefits Expansion Act."
Since then numerous additional benefits have been added in subsequent bills:
Same-sex marriages have also been legalized in Washington DC since March 3, 2010 and out-of-district civil unions are recognized as legal marriages in the District of Columbia.
In Canada, same-sex marriage is legal. Two women can legally marry each other if they so desire. There is no point in arranging a civil union when you can have marriage instead. Civil union is a device used as a substitute for marriage in those jurisdictions where marriage is not allowed.
Yes, but only civil unions issued within Colorado. There is no recognition for the civil unions of other states.
No, civil unions are banned and unrecognized in Utah.
No, civil unions and domestic partnership are not legally defined in North Dakota.
No. Civil unions are not legal in American Samoa.
As of the end of 2009, twenty-four (24) civil unions had been dissolved in New Zealand. Civil Unions began there in 2005.
No. Civil unions are not recognized as marriages in West Virginia.
No. Civil unions are not legal nor recognized in the state of Nebraska.
No, civil unions and domestic partnerships are not legally defined in Oklahoma.
No, civil unions and domestic partnerships are not legally defined in Pennsylvania.
The first U.S. state to adopt civil unions was Vermont in 2000.
No. Civil unions are not legally recognized in Puerto Rico.
No. Civil unions are not legal under the laws of the state of Tennessee.