{"id":351792,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:34","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-partnerships\/civil-unions-v-marriage.html"},"modified":"2023-05-25T11:21:30","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T16:21:30","slug":"civil-unions-v-marriage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-partnerships\/civil-unions-v-marriage.html","title":{"rendered":"Civil Unions vs. Marriage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Civil Unions vs. Marriage<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Civils unions were created as an alternative to marriage for same-sex couples.  Civil unions offered similar benefits to marriage, like joint ownership and a right to inherit.  After the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages, civil unions became somewhat obsolete.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Civil unions and domestic partnerships are less relevant after Obergefell v. Hodges<\/i><\/a> (2015). This Supreme Court ruling held that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional. Yet, marriage and LGBTQ+ issues remain hotly contested in the United States. Despite the accessibility of same-sex marriage, many people remain in civil unions.<\/p>\n

The differences between marriage and civil unions may raise legal issues. The following article will help you understand the differences between these legal relationships.<\/p>\n

Civil Unions vs. Marriage: How They’re the Same<\/h2>\n

Civil unions generally give couples the same rights and responsibilities<\/a> as married couples. Before Obergefell, <\/i>many same-sex couples entered into civil unions. Marriage was not an option like it was for opposite-sex couples. So, civil unions allowed these couples to access some of the benefits of marriage.<\/p>\n

Today, many states have since stopped issuing civil unions in light of Obergefell. <\/i>The main difference is that civil unions don’t entitle partners to federal benefits<\/a> unless the union has been automatically converted to a marriage, which happened in some states.<\/p>\n

Civil unions bring with them the following benefits and legal protections:<\/p>\n