A civil union (also known as a civil partnership) is a legally recognized arrangement similar to marriage, created primarily as a means to provide recognition in law for same-sex couples. Civil unions grant some or all of the rights of marriage except the title itself.

Does a civil union mean?

A civil union is a legally recognized, non-marriage union status created as a parallel but separate relationship to marriage itself.

Why would someone get a civil union?

A civil union is a marriage-like arrangement available in several states that has important distinctions from marriage. It was created to allow same-sex couples a way to publicly commit to each other without quite granting them permission to marry.