Are civil unions considered marriages under the law?

No, civil unions are not considered marriages under California law. Civil unions are legally recognized relationships that offer couples similar rights to those of marriage but are not considered marriages by the state. The difference between civil unions and marriages is that marriages are recognized by the state, while civil unions are not. In California, civil unions may be granted to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. A civil union is created when two eligible adults publicly declare their intent to be civil unionized in the presence of two witnesses and the county clerk. The couple must also purchase a civil union license from the county clerk in order to form the union. Civil unions provide the same rights and benefits of marriage to couples, including the ability to make medical decisions for their partners and qualify for certain taxes, insurance and employee benefits. However, civil unions are not recognized under federal law, meaning they do not have access to certain federal benefits such as social security and immigration rights. Civil unions are a way for couples to be legally recognized and have many of the rights of marriage. However, it is not considered a marriage under California law.

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Are civil unions considered marriages under the law?

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