Are there any civil union laws in the United States?

Yes, there are civil union laws in the United States. The exact laws vary from state to state, but generally, civil union laws create a legally recognized relationship that is similar to marriage but is not considered to be legally the same. For example, in Texas, civil unions provide the same rights and benefits of marriage to couples of the same-sex and different-sex, but the union is not legally recognized as marriage. Civil unions provide couples with certain legal protections, such as the ability to make medical decisions for each other, the right to inherit property, and other legal rights associated with marriage. In Texas, a couple must enter into a civil union contract at a county clerk’s office or through a private ceremony. The contract must be signed by both parties and witnessed by two other people. Although civil union laws are not the same as marriage laws, they do provide those in the relationship with important rights and protections. Civil union laws are also significant in that they give same-sex couples the same legal rights and benefits as opposite-sex couples, even if marriage is not legally recognized in that state.

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Are there any civil union laws in the United States?

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