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CONNECTICUT CIVIL UNIONS
WHAT IS A CIVIL UNION?
The Connecticut law defines a civil union as a legal status, parallel to civil marriage at the state level, in which the parties to a civil union have the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under Connecticut law as are granted to spouses in a marriage. (Public Act 05-10 1(1), 14-15)
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A CIVIL UNION?
Civil unions are available only to same sex couples who are not in another civil union or marriage; at least 18 years of age; and not closely related by blood.
OBTAINING A CIVIL UNION LICENSE
In order to obtain a civil union license in Connecticut, both parties must appear and make an application before the registrar of the town in which either the civil union is to be celebrated or one of the parties to the civil union resides. The license must be filled out in its entirety, dated, signed and sworn to by each applicant and include each applicant’s name, age, race, birthplace, residence, whether single, widowed or divorced and whether under the supervision or control of a conservator or guardian.
- The fee for a civil union license is the same as for a marriage license – $30.
- There is no blood test or waiting period required.
- After completing the application the couple has 65 days to enter into the union.
WHO CAN PERFORM THE CIVIL UNION CEREMONY?
The same people who perform marriage ceremonies – members of the clergy, justices of the peace, judges, family support magistrates, and state referees – may join partners in a civil union.
BENEFITS OF CIVIL UNIONS
Benefits include all rights and responsibilities that are available to married couples under Connecticut law – hospital visitations, inheritance rights, state public assistance, family leave benefits, and others.
LIMITATIONS OF CIVIL UNIONS
The federal government does not recognize same sex unions and those rights, privileges and responsibilities available to married couples under federal law are not necessarily available to partners of a civil union. Further, because only two states recognize civil unions (Vermont and Connecticut), rights granted to civil union partners here disappear when they leave Connecticut.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGES IN CONNECTICUT
As of Nov. 12, 2008, any couple regardless of gender can marry in Connecticut provided they meet the state's marriage requirements. The Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriage in Connecticut did nothing to change Connecticut’s civil union law. Civil unions remain valid and available in Connecticut at least through 2008. The state legislature may at some point alter the civil union law in light of the same-sex marriage law.
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name:
Records/Licenses/Permits
LINKS TO INFORMATION
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SOURCES: Love Makes a Family website, http://www.lmfct.org
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST MODIFIED: November2008
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