What is a civil union?

A civil union is a legally recognized union between two individuals, similar to a marriage, that grants the couple certain rights and benefits on both the state and federal level. In Virginia, a civil union is established when two individuals enter into a contract with each other, typically through a civil union ceremony. In Virginia, couples in a civil union receive many of the same benefits as married couples. For example, they have access to certain medical decisions, such as the right to visit each other in the hospital and make medical decisions on each other’s behalf. Additionally, they are also eligible for joint tax filing, survivor benefits, and other benefits based on their partner’s employment status. Civil unions differ from marriages in that they are not recognized on the federal level. This means that while Virginia couples in a civil union may have certain rights on the state level, they do not receive federal recognition. In other words, the federal government does not consider the union to be legally binding, so the couple does not receive the same benefits as a married couple. In Virginia, a civil union is a way for couples to receive some of the same rights and benefits as a married couple without being married. Although civil unions are not recognized by the federal government, it is a way for couples to receive some legal protection without entering into a marriage.

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What is a civil union?

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