Are there any restrictions on the types of relationships that can enter into a civil union?
In Washington State, a civil union is a legally recognized relationship between two people, offering many of the same state-recognized rights as marriage. Civil union policies in Washington State do not have any restrictions on the types of relationships that can enter into a civil union. Any two consenting adults may enter into a civil union regardless of their gender, orientation, or other factors. The only legal requirement to enter into a civil union is that both parties must be eighteen years old or older, mentally competent, and not currently in a marriage or other civil union with someone else. Additionally, both parties must provide their current Washington State-issued IDs to prove their identity and eligibility to enter into a civil union. Civil union laws in Washington State grant certain rights and privileges to the parties involved, such as the ability to file joint state tax returns, make medical decisions for each other, bring claims for wrongful death, or even receive death benefits from one another. A civil union is not a marriage, but it does confer many of the same rights and benefits that a married couple would enjoy. For couples seeking to create a civil union in Washington, it is important to know the laws and regulations that apply. Furthermore, Washington State does not recognize civil unions from other states or jurisdictions, so couples who have formed a civil union in another place will need to create a new one in order to enjoy the rights and benefits available in Washington.
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