How is a civil union different from marriage?
A civil union is a legally recognized union between two people. It is distinct from marriage in that the rights, benefits, and obligations it confers are not the same as those of a marriage. In South Carolina, a civil union is largely equivalent to a marriage under state law, except that the union must be entered into between two members of the same sex. Civil unions offer most of the same rights and benefits as marriage, such as recognition of the union for tax and insurance purposes, immigration benefits, and inheritance entitlements. However, civil unions do not have the same federal recognition that marriage does. This means couples in a civil union may not be eligible for federal benefits and protections that legally married couples receive, such as Social Security benefits and federal tax treatment. Civil unions also grant the couple fewer legal rights than a marriage. For example, in South Carolina, a civil union does not offer the same parental rights as marriage, such as guardianship or making medical decisions for one’s partner or their partner’s children. Additionally, couples in a civil union do not have the same financial security that married couples have. In the event of a separation or death, a civil union will not be automatically dissolved, like a marriage would. In sum, a civil union is not the same as marriage and does not have the same legal rights and benefits. In South Carolina, however, a civil union does offer most of the same rights and benefits as a marriage under state law.
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