Yes, in places where they have been legalized (New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, Delaware, Rhode Island and New Zealand). Also, they are usually recognized as legal marriages in states where same-sex marriage has been legalized. Some states recognize out-of-state civil unions as domestic partnerships.
Civil partnerships provide legal recognition and protection for relationships between individuals who may not wish to enter into marriage. They offer similar rights and responsibilities as marriage, without the historical and social expectations associated with traditional marriage. Recognizing civil partnerships aims to promote equality and inclusivity for all couples.
Same-sex civil unions are recognized in states where civil unions are legal:Hawaii;Delaware;Illinois;New Jersey; and,Rhode Island.They are also recognized in Washington DC and states where same-sex marriage is legal:New York;Washington;Maryland;Maine;Massachusetts;Connecticut;New Hampshire;Iowa; and,Vermont.They are also recognized in California. The United Kingdom and several foreign countries recognize them as civil partnerships.
The answer to that question depends upon where you live. In many places in the world it has already been legalized, although in most places it has not. The rate at which new places legalize it seems to be accelerating, with 2013 being the top year so far. The truth is that same-sex marriage is probably inevitable in all of North America, most of South America, and most of Europe and Oceania. There is almost no progress being made in Asia and Africa.
Medical cannabis was legalized in the UK on November 1, 2018. However, recreational cannabis remains illegal in the UK.
Zero. No countries in Africa offer civil partnerships, civil unions or domestic partnerships.
Civil Unions have been legalized in the entire state of Delaware.
No. Civil partnerships, domestic partnerships and civil unions are not recognized under Pennsylvania state law. However, same-sex marriage was legalized in Pennsylvania on May 20, 2014, pursuant to a federal court decision striking down Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage.
As of 2014, Gibraltar has legal civil partnerships, but full same-sex marriage may be several years away.
With respect to immigration status, in the United States the answer is no. The US federal government does not recognize same-sex relationships. In Canada, Mexico, Israel, and European countries that have legalized same-sex marriage or civil partnerships, the answer is yes.
Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland have all legalized same-sex marriage. Finland's same-sex marriage law takes effect on March 1, 2017. In the meantime, Finland offers registered partnerships.
No. Although domestic partnerships were legalized in Wisconsin as of August 3, 2009, civil unions are not legally recognized. Same-sex marriage is also legal in Wisconsin effective October 6, 2014.
In most countries in Europe that have civil partnerships, they are legally identical to marriage. However, in some countries, civil partners are not allowed to receive government-funded fertility treatments and/or jointly adopt children.
Where same-sex marriage has been legalized, there is only one kind of marriage and one set of laws governing marriage, whether it be same-sex or heterosexual. Some same-sex relationships, however, are called civil unions, civil partnerships or domestic partnerships and sometimes they have fewer rights than a legal marriage.
On May 22, 2015, Ireland became the most Catholic country to legalize same-sex marriage, thereby replacing Portugal which formerly held that honor. Malta, the third most Catholic country on earth behind Vatican City and East Timor, has legalized only same-sex civil partnerships.
The first country to offer registered civil partnerships to same-sex couples was Denmark in 1989.
The North East Region of England consistently registers the least number of civil partnerships.