Are there any civil union laws in the United States?

Yes, there are civil union laws in the United States. Civil union laws are state laws that give same-sex couples some of the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, including the right to visit each other in the hospital, file joint tax returns, and sue for a partner’s wrongful death. The state of Washington was one of the first to pass a civil union law in 2004. This law made it possible for same-sex couples to receive a "domestic partnership certificate," which grants them certain legal rights. In 2012, Washington passed the Marriage Equality Act and began allowing same-sex marriage in the state. This act made civil unions redundant, so civil unions no longer exist in Washington. Aside from Washington, civil unions are currently legally recognized in five other states: Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. These laws have been in effect since 2007. They are similar to Washington’s original civil union law, granting same-sex couples the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples. Civil union laws exist to give same-sex couples the same rights and benefits that married couples receive, but without fully recognizing their relationship with marriage.

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Are there any civil union laws in the United States?

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