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.
Requirements for a civil union vary by location, but typically include both parties being of legal age, not being married to someone else, providing identification, and paying any necessary fees. Some jurisdictions may also require a waiting period before the civil union can take place. It's best to check with local authorities for specific requirements.
Same-sex civil unions are recognized in countries such as France, Italy, and Switzerland. These unions provide legal recognition and some rights to same-sex couples, although they may not be as comprehensive as marriage. Additionally, some states in the United States also offer civil union options for same-sex couples.
In a state where civil unions have been legalized, a same-sex couple goes to the issuing authority (usually a town clerk or city clerk) and applies for a civil union license. They must appear together, meet all the necessary requirements, present the necessary identification and pay the applicable fee. Then, a ceremony is held before an authorized officiant who signs the civil union license and returns it to the clerk who registers the civil union and issues a certificate of civil union.
Some examples are:"Civil Marriage Act" (Canada - July 20, 2005);"Civil Union Act" (Act 17 of 2006) (South Africa - November 30, 2006);"HB7395" (Connecticut - November 12, 2008);"S115 An Act Relating to Civil Marriage" (Vermont - September 1, 2009);"Religious Freedom And Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act 2009" (Washington, DC - December 18, 2009);"HB 436" (New Hampshire - January 1, 2010);"Marriage Equality Act" (New York - July 24, 2011);"SB 6239" (Washington (state) - December 6, 2012);"Maine Question 1 2012" (Maine - December 29, 2012); and,"Civil Marriage Protection Act - Maryland Question 6" (Maryland -January 1, 2013).
The only negative associated with same-sex marriage that is not also present in heterosexual marriage is that of the discrimination faced by same-sex married couples.
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.
Depending upon where you live, it is either marriage, civil union, civil partnership or domestic partnership.
No, it is a lesser category of formalised relationship - a sort of second-class marriage.
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."
Civil unions are the legal partnership that provides the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. Also, it is known as a marriage and, in Europe, a civil partnership. Let's not forget marriage, which also provides the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples.
The term "civil union" is used by several of the United States to describe a legal relationship that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to legal marriage, but which cannot be legally called a "marriage." Civil unions were primarily created for same-sex couples as an alternative to legal marriage, but are not limited to same-sex couples in several states. Several states that permitted civil unions previously have now legalized marriage for same-sex couples.
Yes, through the same procedure as a married couple. For the purposes of immigration, a civil union is treated the same as a legal marriage.
You need to file in court for a "dissolution." Although it is not called a "divorce," the same procedure applies. A civil union is basically a marriage that is not called a "marriage" and a dissolution is a divorce that is not called a "divorce."
In Delaware, the procedure for dissolving a civil union is the same as for dissolving a legal marriage. It is necessary to obtain a divorce decree signed by a judge.
The American Civil Liberties Union ("ACLU") is principally involved in challenging individual state's bans on same-sex marriage.
You cannot. Iowa does not issue civil union licenses. A same-sex couple (or an opposite-sex couple) can get a legal marriage license in Iowa.
Same-sex marriage is now legal in Connecticut. On October 1, 2010, all existing civil unions in Connecticut were legally transformed into marriages. Any civil union performed in another state is now recognized as a full legal marriage in Connecticut.