Can a civil union be converted into a marriage?

Yes, a civil union can be converted into a marriage in California. This is due to the passage of the Domestic Partnership and Civil Rights Act (SB 300) in 2020. The Act allows people who are already in a civil union to convert their relationship to a marriage if they so choose. To convert their civil union to a marriage, partners must complete a Declaration of Marriage and submit it to the county clerk’s office in the county where the license was issued. Once the Declaration of Marriage is filed, the couple is legally recognized as married in the eyes of the state. The conversion of a civil union to a marriage is important for a variety of reasons. First, a marriage is a more legally protected status than a civil union. For example, married couples can enjoy certain federal tax benefits, while civil union partners do not receive the same benefits. Similarly, married couples receive certain visitation rights in medical and correctional facilities, which are not granted to civil union couples. In short, any couple who has entered into a civil union can legally convert it to a marriage in California, with no waiting period or additional cost. Doing so would grant the couple more legal rights and protections than they would receive if they remained in a civil union, making the conversion a beneficial decision.

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Can a civil union be converted into a marriage?

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