How is a civil union different from marriage?
A civil union is a marriage-like arrangement that grants legal recognition to couples who are not married, but in a committed relationship. In California, civil union law grants couples many of the same rights and responsibilities that married couples have, such as full legal recognition of their relationship and the ability to have a joint bank account and file joint taxes. However, because it is not a marriage, civil unions do not entitle couples to the same rights and benefits that legally married couples receive. There are some key legal differences between civil unions and marriage. For example, in California, civil unions are only valid in a few states, while marriage is recognized everywhere in the United States. Additionally, civil unions are not recognized by the federal government, meaning that couples in a civil union cannot have access to federal benefits such as Social Security. Other differences include the fact that a civil union is not considered a religious event, and couples do not need a ceremony to enter into a civil union. Marriage, however, is more often accompanied by a ceremony and is often performed with religious connotations. In California, civil unions are limited, and a couple has to meet certain criteria to be eligible, while marriage is open to anyone who meets the legal requirements. In sum, civil unions are different from marriage in that they do not have the same legal implications, are less likely to be recognized outside of California, and are not always accompanied by a ceremony or religious connotations. While both arrangements grant couples legal recognition, the differences should be taken into consideration when deciding which is best for them.
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