Are same-sex civil unions legal in Vancouver Canada?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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:

• Deed Recordation Tax and Related Amendments Amendment Act 2004
• Department of Motor Vehicles Reform Amendment Act of 2004
• Domestic Partnership Protection Amendment Act of 2004
• Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2006
• Domestic Partnerships Joint Filing Act of 2006
• Omnibus Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2008
• Domestic Partnership Judicial Determination of Parentage Act 2009

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

No. The term "civil union" has no legal meaning in West Virginia.