Editing Civil union (section)

===United States===
{{Main|Same-sex unions in the United States|Domestic partnership in the United States}}{{More citations needed section|date=April 2021}}
[[File:Same-sex unions in the United States.svg|thumb|400px|
'''States performing civil unions'''
{{legend|#0066ff|Civil union}}
{{legend|#00ccff|Civil union with limited rights}}
{{legend|#cccccc|Civil unions not performed}}
{{legend|#ff0000|Civil unions forbidden}}]]
The first civil unions in the United States were offered by the state of [[Same-sex marriage in Vermont|Vermont]] in 2000. The [[United States government|federal government]] does not recognize these unions. By the end of 2006, [[Same-sex marriage in Connecticut|Connecticut]] and New Jersey had also enacted civil union laws; [[Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire|New Hampshire]] followed in 2007. Furthermore, California's domestic partnership law had been expanded to the point that it became practically a civil union law as well. The same might be said{{By whom|date=April 2021}} for domestic partnership in the District of Columbia, domestic partnership in Washington, and domestic partnership in Oregon.

Jurisdictions in the U.S. that offer civil unions or domestic partnerships granting nearly all of the state-recognized rights of marriage to same-sex couples include:
* [[Domestic partnership in California]] (2000 – expanded over time)
* [[Same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia|Domestic partnership in the District of Columbia]] (1992 law implemented, 2002 became effective – expanded over time)
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Hawaii|Civil union in Hawaii]] (2012)
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Illinois|Civil union in Illinois]] (2011)
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Nevada|Domestic partnership in Nevada]] (2009)
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in New Jersey|Civil union in New Jersey]] (2007)
* [[Domestic partnership in Oregon]] (2008)
* [[Same-sex marriage in Rhode Island|Civil union in Rhode Island]] (2011)
* [[Domestic partnership in Washington State]] (2007 – expanded over time)

States in the U.S. with domestic partnerships or similar status granting some of the rights of marriage include:
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Colorado|Designated beneficiary agreement in Colorado]] (2009)
* [[Reciprocal beneficiary relationships in Hawaii|Reciprocal beneficiary relationship in Hawaii]] (1997)
* [[Domestic partnership in Maine]] (2004)

Since October 2014, all states that provide for civil unions, domestic partnerships, or similar arrangements between same-sex partners also allow same-sex partners to legally wed.

==== Arizona ====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in Arizona}}
In 2013, [[Bisbee, Arizona|Bisbee]] became the first city in Arizona to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/bisbee-civil-unions_n_3004088.html|title=Bisbee Becomes Arizona's First City To Allow Same-Sex Civil Unions|last=Gaynor|first=Tim|date=2013-04-03|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en-US}}</ref> After its passage, the state's Attorney General, [[Tom Horne]], threatened to challenge the law in court, arguing that it violated the state's constitution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/arizona-attorney-general-tom-horne-to-sue-to-block-civil-unions-in-bisbee|title=Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne to sue to block civil unions in Bisbee|agency=Associated Press|date=2013-04-03|work=KNXV|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> However, the Attorney General agreed to withdraw the challenge after Bisbee amended the law, and the civil union ordinance was approved.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/30/gay-civil-unions-bisbee/2123887/|title=Ariz. attorney general, Bisbee OK civil-union changes|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en}}</ref>

Following Bisbee, also in 2013, [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]] became the second municipality to legalize civil unions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/aj-walkley/civil-unions-in-tucson_b_3586513.html|title=Civil Unions in Tucson|last=Walkley|first=A. J.|date=2013-07-19|website=Huffington Post|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-31}}</ref> [[Jerome, Arizona|Jerome]] followed in the same year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ontopmag.com/article/16292/Jerome_Arizona_Approves_Civil_Unions_For_Gay_Couples|title=Jerome, Arizona Approves Civil Unions For Gay Couples|work=On Top Magazine|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en}}</ref> Also in 2013, [[Clarkdale, Arizona|Clarkdale]] and [[Cottonwood, Arizona|Cottonwood]] were the next cities in the Verde Valley to pass civil unions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.verdenews.com/news/2013/nov/13/civil-unions-pass-unanimously-in-clarkdale/|title=Civil unions pass unanimously in Clarkdale|work=verdenews.com|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/12/cottonwood-latest-ariz-city-to-approve-same-sex-civil-unions/|title=Cottonwood latest Ariz. city to approve same-sex civil unions|last=[ap]|first=FELICIA FONSECA|date=2013-12-18|work=LGBTQ Nation|access-date=2017-05-31}}</ref> A measure to allow civil unions failed in [[Camp Verde, Arizona|Camp Verde]] by a split 3–3 vote in the city council making it the only city in the Verde Valley to not have passed the bill.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.journalaz.com/news/camp-verde/2232-camp-verde-rejects-civil-unions.html|title=Camp Verde rejects civil unions - JournalAZ.com - Verde Valley News, Jobs, Classifieds|last=Lineberger|first=Mark|website=www.journalaz.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-05-31|archive-date=2017-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019024118/http://www.journalaz.com/news/camp-verde/2232-camp-verde-rejects-civil-unions.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Sedona, Arizona|Sedona]] passed civil unions in September 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2013/09/25/sedona-arizona-approves-local-ordinance-on-same-sex-civil-unions/|title=Sedona approves local ordinance on civil unions – Arizona Capitol Times|agency=Associated Press|website=azcapitoltimes.com|date=25 September 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-31}}</ref> The city of [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]] considered legal advice about a civil union ordinance, but it did not pass a bill.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2013/04/04/tempe-arizona-council-to-hear-legal-advice-on-same-sex-civil-unions/|title=Tempe council to hear legal advice on civil unions – Arizona Capitol Times|agency=Associated Press|website=azcapitoltimes.com|date=4 April 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-31}}</ref> After the legalization of same-sex marriage in Arizona, civil unions may continue to be registered in the cities that had legalized the ordinances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samesexrelationshipguide.com/~/media/files/ssrguide/northamerica/united-states/legal-recognition-of-samesex-relationships--united-states-of-america--arizona.pdf|title=Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships|last=Day|first=Jones|date=August 31, 2015|website=samesexrelationshipguide.com|access-date=May 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924234758/http://www.samesexrelationshipguide.com/~/media/files/ssrguide/northamerica/united-states/legal-recognition-of-samesex-relationships--united-states-of-america--arizona.pdf|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====California====
{{Main|Domestic partnership in California}}
In California, where domestic partnership (DP) has been available to same-sex and certain opposite-sex couples since 2000, a wholesale revision of the law in 2005 made it substantially equivalent to marriage at the state level.  In 2007, the Legislature took a further step when it required same-sex DP couples to file state income taxes jointly.  (Couples must continue to file federal taxes as individuals.)  In the May 2008 ''[[In re Marriage Cases]]'' decision, the state supreme court noted nine [[Domestic partnership in California#Differences from marriage|differences between Domestic Partnerships and same-sex marriage]] in state law, including a cohabitation requirement for domestic partners, access to CalPERS long-term care insurance (but not CalPERS in general), and the lack of an equivalent to California's "confidential marriage" institution.<ref name="irmf24">[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/californiastatecases/s147999.pdf In Re Marriage Cases], California Supreme Court Decision, footnote 24, pages 42–44.</ref> The cohabitation requirement was dropped on January 1, 2012, and a "confidential option" for domestic partners became available the same day.

====Colorado====
{{Main|Recognition of same-sex unions in Colorado}}
A bill to establish civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples passed both chambers of the Colorado legislature and was signed into law by Governor [[John Hickenlooper]]. Civil unions began on May 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moreno |first1=Ivan |date=March 21, 2013 |title=Civil Unions Signed into Law in Colorado |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/civil-unions-be-signed-law-colorado |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319034413/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/civil-unions-be-signed-law-colorado |archive-date=March 19, 2014 |access-date=August 23, 2014 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="nytcu">{{cite news |last=Frosch |first=Dan |date=March 12, 2013 |title=Colorado Legalizes Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/us/colorado-legalizes-civil-unions-for-same-sex-couples.html |access-date=March 13, 2013 |newspaper=New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Coffman |first=Keith |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Colorado lawmakers approve bill for same-sex civil unions |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-gaymarriage-colorado-idUSBRE92C04120130313 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |newspaper=Reuters}}</ref>

====Connecticut====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in Connecticut}}
In 2005, the [[Connecticut General Assembly]] passed a bill to adopt civil unions in Connecticut.  Connecticut's civil unions were identical to marriage and provided all of the same rights and responsibilities except for the title. Connecticut was the first state in the U.S. to voluntarily pass a same-sex civil unions law through the legislature without any immediate court intervention.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/01/AR2005100100962.html|title=Connecticut's First Same-Sex Unions Proceed Civilly|first=David A.|last=Fahrenthold|date=2 October 2005|via=washingtonpost.com}}</ref> The law was repealed on October 1, 2010, and replaced with a law making marriage gender-neutral.

====Delaware====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in Delaware}}
Delaware Governor [[Jack Markell]] signed a civil union bill on May 12, 2011, that establishes civil unions in the state effective January 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Beth|title=Governor signs Delaware civil unions bill|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|date=May 12, 2011|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-05-12-delaware-civil-unions_n.htm|access-date=May 12, 2011}}</ref> The law was repealed on July 1, 2014, and replaced with a law making marriage gender-neutral.

====District of Columbia====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia}}
Same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia was legalized on December 18, 2009.<ref name="CNN-sign">{{cite news |date=December 18, 2009 |title=D.C. mayor signs same-sex marriage bill |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/18/d-c-mayor-signs-same-sex-marriage-bill/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205151815/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/18/d-c-mayor-signs-same-sex-marriage-bill/ |archive-date=December 5, 2011 |access-date=December 18, 2009 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Marriage licenses became available on March 3, 2010,<ref name="APGresko">{{cite news |last=Gresko |first=Jessica |date=March 3, 2010 |title=Same-sex marriage becomes legal in DC |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gftV6RnfBC8iPPWGM0SGQeNLiC6QD9E71J3G0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200111201321/https://www.webcitation.org/5nx4LhJxv?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gftV6RnfBC8iPPWGM0SGQeNLiC6QD9E71J3G0 |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |access-date=March 3, 2010 |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> and marriages began on March 9, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kathryn Burke |first=Mary |date=March 8, 2010 |title=First Two Same Sex Couples to Be Married in Washington, D.C.. |url=https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/sex-couples-married-washington-dc/story?id=10042079 |work=ABC News}}</ref> Legislation on domestic partnerships in the District of Columbia was first passed in 1992, implemented in 2002, and expanded over time up to 2009.<ref name="dcdp-hrc">{{cite web |title=D.C. Domestic Partnership Program |url=http://www.glaa.org/archive/2001/dpfactsheet103001.shtml |access-date=May 15, 2008 |publisher=Human Rights Campaign}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Associated Press |author-link=Associated Press |date=July 7, 2009 |title=Washington, D.C., Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/us/08marriage.html |access-date=December 1, 2009 |work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gaynair |first=Gillian |date=July 7, 2009 |title=Gay Marriage Bill Takes Effect in Nation's Capital |url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2009/July/Gay-Marriage-Bill-Takes-Effect-in-Nations-Capital/ |access-date=December 1, 2009 |work=Christian Broadcasting Network}}</ref>

====Hawaii====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in Hawaii}}
Hawaii legalized civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples on January 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Levs |first=Josh |date=January 2, 2012 |title=Two more states allow same-sex civil unions |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/01/us/civil-unions/ |accessdate=August 27, 2013 |newspaper=CNN}}</ref> Same-sex marriage became legal on December 2, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2, 2013 |title=Joyous same-sex couples wed in Hawaii as gay marriage becomes legal |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-gaymarriage-hawaii-idUSBRE9B10GA20131202 |work=Reuters |location=Honolulu}}</ref><ref name="advocate.com">{{cite news |date=December 2, 2013 |title=First same-sex couples marry in Hawaii |url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/12/02/first-same-sex-couples-marry-hawaii |accessdate=December 7, 2013 |work=Advocate.com}}</ref>

====Illinois====
{{Main articles|Same-sex marriage in Illinois}}
On December 1, 2010, the Illinois state senate passed SB1716{{Snd}}the "Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act"{{Snd}}in a 32–24–1 vote, just one day after the Illinois House of Representatives did the same in a 61–52–2 vote. On January 31, 2011, Illinois state Governor Pat Quinn signed SB1716 into law, establishing civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The new law came into effect on June 1, 2011.  The provision allowing opposite-sex couples to establish a civil union effectively doubles as a tool for widowed seniors to keep [[Social Security (United States)#Widow(er) benefits|survivor's benefits]] from a marriage while gaining marital rights at the state level with another partner.<ref>{{cite news|last=Avila |first=Oscar |author2=Huppke, Rex |title=Civil unions aren't just for same-sex couples |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=Dec 2, 2010 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-heterosexuals-civil-unions-12020101202,0,571376.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205023356/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-heterosexuals-civil-unions-12020101202%2C0%2C571376.story |archive-date=December 5, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NJ Division of Taxation - Civil Union Act |url=https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/civilunionact.shtml |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.nj.gov}}</ref>

====Maine====
{{Main|Domestic partnership in Maine}}
Maine legalized domestic partnership for same-sex and opposite-sex couples in 2004.<ref>Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, sec. 2710</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Maine Marriage/Relationship Recognition Law |url=http://www.hrc.org/laws-and-legislation/entry/maine-marriage-relationship-recognition-law |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104003053/http://www.hrc.org/laws-and-legislation/entry/maine-marriage-relationship-recognition-law |archive-date=4 November 2013 |access-date=September 9, 2021 |website=Human Rights Campaign}}</ref> Maine's domestic partnership registry only provides limited rights, most of which are aimed at protecting couples' security in emergency situations.

====New Hampshire====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire}}
On April 26, 2007, the [[New Hampshire General Court]] (state legislature) passed a civil union bill, and Governor [[John H. Lynch|John Lynch]] signed the bill into law on May 31, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/BREAK/70531001/1030|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103153005/http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070531%2FBREAK%2F70531001%2F1030|url-status=dead|title=Concord Monitor – Lynch signs bill legalizing civil unions|archive-date=November 3, 2007}}</ref> At the time, New Hampshire was "... the first state to embrace same-sex unions without a court order or the threat of one".<ref name=Wang>Wang, Beverley. (April 26, 2007) [http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070426/REPOSITORY/70426002/1030 State Senate approves civil unions for same-sex couples] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103152712/http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070426%2FREPOSITORY%2F70426002%2F1030 |date=2007-11-03 }} ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed April 26, 2007.</ref> The New Hampshire civil union legislation became effective on January 1, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070426/REPOSITORY/70426002/1030|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103152712/http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070426%2FREPOSITORY%2F70426002%2F1030|url-status=dead|title=Concord Monitor – State Senate approves civil unions for same-sex couples|archive-date=November 3, 2007}}</ref> The law was replaced by the same-sex marriage law on January 1, 2010.<ref name="HB436">{{cite web |title=HB 436-FN-LOCAL – Version Adopted by Both Bodies |url=http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0436.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410081608/http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/hb0436.html |archive-date=April 10, 2009 |access-date=May 15, 2009}}</ref>

====New Jersey====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in New Jersey}}
On October 25, 2006, the [[Supreme Court of New Jersey]] gave [[New Jersey Legislature|New Jersey lawmakers]] 180 days to rewrite the state's marriage laws, either including same-sex couples or creating a new system of [[civil unions]] for them. On December 14 the Legislature passed a bill establishing [[Same-sex marriage in New Jersey|civil unions in New Jersey]], which was signed into law by [[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]] [[Jon Corzine]] on December 21, 2006.  The first civil unions took place on February 19, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc7ny.com/|title=ABC7 Eyewitness News - WABC-TV New York}}</ref>

There are differences between civil unions and domestic partnerships.  In 2004, the state of [[New Jersey]] enacted a domestic partnership law, the Domestic Partnership Act, offering certain limited rights and benefits to same-sex and different-sex couples.  In 2006, however, after the [[Supreme Court of New Jersey|state Supreme Court]]'s [[Lewis v. Harris|ruling]] in [[Lewis v. Harris|''Lewis vs. Harris'']] that same-sex couples must be extended all the rights and benefits of marriage, the Legislature passed a civil unions law, the Civil Union Act, effective in 2007, which was an attempt to satisfy the court's ruling.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Department of Health {{!}} Vital Statistics {{!}} Domestic Partnerships |url=https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/registration-vital/domestic-partnerships/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.nj.gov}}</ref>

====Nevada====
{{Main articles|Same-sex marriage in Nevada}}
On May 31, 2009, the Nevada legislature overrode Governor [[Jim Gibbons (U.S. politician)|Jim Gibbons]]' veto of a domestic partnership bill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Cy |date=2009-05-31 |title=With veto override, domestic partners bill becomes law |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/31/veto-override-domestic-partners-bill-becomes-law/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Las Vegas Sun |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nevada legalizing domestic partnerships - CNN.com |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/31/nevada.domestic.partnerships/index.html?iref=nextin |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Nevada Legislature rejects Gov. Gibbons domestic partnership veto |url=https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2009/may/31/nevada-legislature-rejects-gov-gibbons-domestic-pa/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.nevadaappeal.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2009-05-31 |title=Nevada Senate Overrides Veto on Domestic Partners Measure |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/us/31nevada.html |access-date=2025-05-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The bill allows registered domestic partners, whether they are a same-sex or opposite-sex couple, to have most of the state level rights and responsibilities afforded to married couples. It does not require any other entity to provide rights or benefits afforded to married individuals. This has left the partnership bill ineffective compared to those of other states. The law took effect on 1 October 2009.

====Oregon====
{{main|Domestic partnership in Oregon}}
Since 4 February 2008, Oregon offers domestic partnerships which grant nearly all of the state-recognized rights of marriage to same-sex couples.

====Rhode Island====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in Rhode Island}}
Civil unions were permitted in Rhode Island since July 1, 2011 until July 1, 2013.

====Vermont====
{{Main|Same-sex marriage in Vermont}}
The civil unions law<ref name=vtculaw>{{cite web|url=http://www.sec.state.vt.us/otherprg/civilunions/civilunionlaw.html|title=Professional Regulation - Home - Vermont Secretary of State|access-date=2006-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923144929/http://www.sec.state.vt.us/otherprg/civilunions/civilunionlaw.html|archive-date=2009-09-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> that was passed in the [[Vermont General Assembly]] in 2000 was a response to the [[Vermont Supreme Court]] ruling in ''[[Baker v. Vermont]]'', requiring that the state grant same-sex couples the same rights and privileges accorded to married couples under the law.

A Vermont civil union is nearly identical to a legal marriage, as far as the rights and responsibilities for which state law, not federal law, is responsible are concerned.<ref name=vtculaw /> It grants partners [[next-of-kin]] rights and other protections that heterosexual married couples also receive.  However, despite the [[Full Faith and Credit clause|"full faith and credit" clause]] of the [[United States Constitution]], civil unions are generally not recognized outside Vermont in the absence of specific legislation.  Opponents of the law have supported the [[Defense of Marriage Act]] and the proposed [[Federal Marriage Amendment]] in order to prevent obligatory recognition of same-sex couples in other jurisdictions.  This means that many of the advantages of marriage, which fall in the federal jurisdiction (over 1,100 federal laws, such as joint federal income tax returns, visas and work permits for the foreign partner of a U.S. citizen, etc.), are not extended to the partners of a Vermont civil union.

Regarding voluntary recognition of the civil union in other jurisdictions, [[New York City]]'s Domestic Partnership Law, passed in 2002, recognizes civil unions formalized in other jurisdictions. [[Germany]]'s international civil law (EGBGB) also accords to Vermont civil unions the same benefits and responsibilities that apply in Vermont, as long as they do not exceed the standard accorded by German law to a German civil union. The law was replaced by the same-sex marriage law on September 1, 2009.

====Washington====
{{Main|Domestic partnership in Washington (state)}}
Washington offers domestic partnerships which grant nearly all of the state-recognized rights of marriage to same-sex couples. Washington is the first state to have passed a same-sex civil union bill by a popular vote.

Washington legalized same-sex marriage early in 2012, which provided that a couple in a civil union would have two years to convert their civil union to a marriage. The law was upheld by popular [[Washington Referendum 74 (2012)|referendum]] in November 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/06/anti-gay-marriage-measure-qualifies-for-wash-state-ballot/1 |title=Anti-gay-marriage measure qualifies for Wash. state ballot |work=USA Today |date=June 12, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>