What is the difference between civil partnership and a marriage?

Answer 1

A civil union is a legal mechanism, sanctioned by civil authority, intended to grant same-gender couples legal status somewhat similar to civil marriage. In states with civil unions, same-gender couples are granted the same state-level rights, benefits, and protections as those granted to heterosexual married couples. No other states recognize civil unions. As such, same-gender couples considered to be legally united in states with unions are treated as single individuals when they cross into other states.

Unlike the national governments of some foreign countries, the US federal government does not recognize civil unions. As a result, >1000 federal rights, benefits, and protections are not made available to same-gender couples joined by civil union in the United States.

A domestic partnership is a relationship between 2 individuals, often but not necessarily of the same gender, who live together and mutually support one another as spouses but who are not legally joined in a civil marriage or a civil union. Some same-gender couples enter into domestic partnership agreements to create legally enforceable contracts involving property, finances, inheritance, and/or health care. Domestic partnership do not reach the same legal threshold as civil unions or civil marriages and, accordingly, do not afford couples the rights, benefits, and protections of civil marriage.

Answer 2

Marriage:

• Can live separately
• Usually involves a ceremony performed by an officiant
• Portable to some other states and countries
• Can be dissolved only by a judgment of divorce
• Affects income tax filing status in states where it is legal
• Includes the right to legal name change
• More likely to result in extension of employer-provided insurance benefits to worker's spouse
• Provides many rights and responsibilities not generally included in domestic partnerships

Domestic Partnership:

• Must live together
• Usually does not involve a ceremony or an officiant other than a notary
• May or may not be portable to other municipalities or states
• Can be quickly dissolved by filling out a form and mailing it to other partner
• Does not affect income tax filing status
• Does not usually include the right to legal name change
• Less likely to result in extension of employer-provided insurance benefits to worker's spouse
• Generally provides fewer rights and responsibilities than legal marriage

Answer 3

Different jurisdictions have different laws concerning domestic partnerships and civil unions. However, the following differences between the two are typical:

• Domestic Partners must live together. This is not a requirement for civil union.
• Domestic Partnerships are dissolved by filling out a form. Civil Unions are dissolved by court proceeding similar to divorce.
• Civil Unions are generally defined by state law, whereas domestic partnerships are defined by either state or local law.
• Domestic Partnerships often require local residency or employment by local government. Civil Unions generally don't have a residency requirement.
• Some domestic partnerships can be registered by mail. Civil Unions cannot.
• Civil Unions require a license and an officiant before they can be certified. Registering a domestic partnership is a one-step process.
• Civil Unions generally provide more benefits than a municipal domestic partnership.

Answer 4

This depends upon the laws in your jurisdiction. However, generally, civil partnerships are for same-sex couples, whereas marriage is often restricted to opposite-sex couples. Civil partnership often suffers from less social acceptance. Marriage usually includes adoption rights and, in some countries, medical coverage for fertility treatments. Civil partnerships usually do not include these rights.

Answer 5

Civil unions are like marriages, except they deny the couple federal recognition, as well as use of the word "marriage." They may also deny specific rights at the state level, such as the right to use your spouse's surname.

As of February 2014, civil unions (also called domestic partnerships) are available statewide in 3 states: Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon. There is also a limited domestic partnership available in Wisconsin, as well as some cities and counties around the country.

There is no standard difference between a civil union and a domestic partnership.