Are there any civil union laws in other states?
The answer is yes. Although Washington does not currently have a civil union law, many other states do have civil union laws. A civil union is a legally recognized union between two people, similar to a marriage or domestic partnership, but without being considered ‘married’ in the eyes of the law. Many states that have civil union laws also recognize marriages, domestic partnerships, and civil unions from other states. As of 2021, civil unions are legal in Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In Hawaii, Nevada, and Washington DC, civil unions were legal in the past but were replaced by same-sex marriage laws. The rights and responsibilities that come with a civil union can vary from state to state. For example, some states extend the same rights to a civil union that are granted to married couples, such as the right to file joint taxes, access to partner health insurance, and shared parental rights. Other states may offer some of the same rights but not all of them. It is important to research civil union laws in a particular state before entering into one, as the laws can change often. Since Washington does not currently have a civil union law, couples interested in entering into a civil union must do so in another state that has a civil union law.
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