These countries have legalized civil partnerships:
These countries have legalized same-sex marriage:
All but about 90 countries in the world offer some kind of equal protections for gay people, but it varies greatly. Some countries with the best gay rights records are:
Although New Zealand is the only country that uses the exact English-language term "Civil Union," many other countries offer types of civil partnerships that have similar rights and are not called marriages.
Civil unions (or similar relationships) are also available in some states in the US, Mexico and Australia.
None. No communist countries have legalized same-sex marriage.
The Netherlands was the first country to permit same-sex marriage effective April 1, 2001. Prior to that, Denmark permitted same-sex "registered partnerships" in 1989.
Civil unions are legal in Illinois beginning June 1, 2011.
Civil unions are legal in Hawaii beginning January 1, 2012.
Civil unions are legal in Delaware beginning January 1, 2012.
Civil unions are legal in New Jersey beginning February 19, 2007.
Civil unions are legal in Rhode Island beginning July 1, 2011.
Civil Unions have been legalized in the entire state of Delaware.
No. In fact, on January 31, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that legalized civil unions effective June 1, 2011.
In some places. Civil unions are legal in the states where they performed. They are also legal in other states that have legalized civil unions. Many places where same-sex marriage is legal will recognize a civil union as a legal marriage. Please see attached related question for a list of places where civil unions are legally performed.
No. In states where same-sex civil unions or marriages have been legalized, what you are describing is a crime for which you can be prosecuted (bigamy). Whichever event took place second is considered a fraudulent attempt at marriage or civil union and was never legal, not even before it was discovered. In states where same-sex civil unions or marriages have NOT been legalized, you are not in a civil union, you are only married. Your civil union is legally nullified upon crossing the state line.
AndorraAustriaBrazilColombiaCzech RepublicEcuadorFinlandFranceGermanyGreenlandHungaryIrelandIsle of ManJerseyLiechtensteinLuxembourgNew ZealandSloveniaSwitzerlandUnited KingdomUruguay
Yes. Generally, a certificate of civil union is legal proof of name change for either party within states that recognize civil unions, including those states that have legalized same-sex marriage. In states where neither civil unions nor same-sex marriages have been legalized, one must obtain a court ordered name change at an additional cost and with a longer waiting period.
Yes, on October 1, 2010, all existing Connecticut civil unions were converted to legal marriages.