Is a civil union recognized in other countries?
A civil union is a legally recognized union between two people that provides certain rights and privileges to both parties, similar to a marriage. In Washington, civil unions are recognized by the state, but not all other countries may recognize the civil union. Most countries have the right to set its own laws and regulations, so it is up to the individual countries to decide if they would like to recognize a civil union. In most countries, if a couple wishes to be legally recognized, they must be married. That means if an American couple has a civil union in Washington and then later moves to another country, it is not likely that the foreign country would recognize their civil union. However, some countries do recognize civil unions for foreign couples. For example, some countries in Europe and the United Kingdom recognize civil unions, as well as some states in the United States, like California and New Jersey. Therefore, if a couple is considering entering into a civil union, it is important to research the laws and regulations in the countries they may be visiting or living in to see if they will be recognized there. Additionally, it would be important to speak with an attorney who is familiar with the laws in the countries they plan to travel to.
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