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A civil marriage is officiated by a justice of the peace, a judge, or some other civil authority. A religious marriage is officiated by a clergy member.
United States
Marriage is a civil legal status in the US and before any marriage, civil or religious, can be solemnized the happy couple must obtain a civil marriage license in the state where they plan to marry. Without a civil marriage license signed by the officiating clergy, a religious marriage would not be a legal marriage. The state allows various officials both religious and civil to perform the ceremony but it is only valid when performed pursuant to a civil marriage license. It's the law.
A religious marriage is governed by all the state and Federal Laws that govern marriage in the US and by all the rules and doctrines of the particular denomination to which the couple belongs. A common aspect is male dominion in the marriage. The Catholic Church, one of the largest religious organizations in the world, does not allow divorce within the church. It considers marriage to be a life long commitment.
A civil marriage is subject to all the state and federal laws that govern marriage and no more. Each party has equal rights. If either party wants a divorce they only need to file a complaint for divorce at the local family court and they are free to end their marriage legally. The state will ensure an equitable division of any marital property and determine custody and child support arrangements for any children born of the marriage.
What else can I help you with?
Can you have both a civil union and a marriage at the same time?
Yes and no: yes, if your civil union and marriage are both to the same person; no if they are to different people and both are recognized in your state. If you are in a state where your civil union is not recognized and you are married to a different person (presumably one of the opposite sex), then your civil union does not legally exist, only your marriage does.
Can a same-sex marriage be performed as a civil union?
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.
What is the same-sex family union?
Depending upon where you live, it is either marriage, civil union, civil partnership or domestic partnership.
What are some differences between a marriage and a legal union?
Marriage is a type of legal union. Depending upon the laws of your jurisdiction, other types of legal union may include "civil union," "domestic partnership," "civil partnership," or "designated beneficiary relationship."
What is a civil union partner?
In states where civil unions are legally recognized, "civil union partner" (or "partner in civil union") is the legal term for what would otherwise be called a "spouse" (i.e. husband or wife) in a legal marriage.
What do civil unions lack?
Civil unions are not legally called "marriages" and partners in a civil union are not legally called "spouses." That is the only difference between a civil union and a legal marriage.
Is a civil union the same as a marriage?
No, it is a lesser category of formalised relationship - a sort of second-class marriage.
What is the difference between a civil union and marriage in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, a civil union is not recognized by the state, while marriage is legally recognized and provides couples with legal rights and responsibilities. Marriage offers additional legal benefits and protections, such as inheritance rights, access to healthcare decisions, and eligibility for tax benefits, that are not available to couples in a civil union.
What are the different kinds of civil partnerships?
A civil partnership is a legally recognized union similar to marriage. Civil partnerships can often come under other terms such as registeredpartnership, domestic partnership and civilunion. The title depends on the jurisdiction.
Can you change your last name with a civil union?
No. It's one of the rights of marriage that is denied to people with civil unions.
What does civil union mean in Facebook?
When you indicate that you are in a civil union with another Facebook member, you are saying that you have been joined in civil union with that person. "Civil Union" is a term that some states (HI, IL, NJ, DE) use to describe a legally recognized relationship between to members of the same gender that is identical to marriage, but not called "marriage." Instead, it is called "civil union."
What is a civil partners?
In states where civil unions are legally recognized, "civil union partner" (or "partner in civil union") is the legal term for what would otherwise be called a "spouse" (i.e. husband or wife) in a legal marriage.
