Civil union

This is the sighted version that was marked on May 21, 2021. There are 2 pending changes that still need to be sighted.

This article deals with the legal institution internationally. For the Austrian legal institution of same-sex partnership, see Registered partnership (Austria).

A civil union is a legal institution for couples. In some states it establishes a separate civil status and thus represents a separate legal institution alongside (traditionally opposite-sex) marriage.

In many countries where marriage has been opened to same-sex couples, the opening of marriage was preceded by the introduction of registered partnerships. Depending on the region or country in which couples can establish registered partnerships, these are either structured differently or completely identically to marriage.

Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Germany have amended their partnership laws at the same time as opening up marriage to same-sex couples, so that partnership registers are closed to new registrations. However, existing registered partnerships continue to be recognised as such and can be converted into a marriage if desired.

Legal situation for same-sex couples Homosexuality legal: Same sex marriages Other forms of same-sex partnerships Recognition of same-sex marriages (contracted at home or abroad) No recognition of same-sex partnerships Restriction of freedom of expression and assemblyHomosexuality illegal: De jure punishable, de facto no prosecution Severe penalties (Life imprisonment) Death penaltyZoom
Legal situation for same-sex couples Homosexuality legal: Same sex marriages Other forms of same-sex partnerships Recognition of same-sex marriages (contracted at home or abroad) No recognition of same-sex partnerships Restriction of freedom of expression and assemblyHomosexuality illegal: De jure punishable, de facto no prosecution Severe penalties (Life imprisonment) Death penalty

Registered partnerships worldwide (in force)

State

Designation

same sex

misgendered

Andorra AndorraAndorra
  • unió civil

yes
 (since 25 December 2014)

no
  • unió estable de parella

yes
 (since 23 March 2005)

yes
 (since 23 March 2005)

AngolaAngola Angola
  • união de facto

no

yes
 (since 30 January 2015)

Argentina ArgentinienArgentina
  • unión convivencial

yes
 (since 1 August 2015)

yes
 (since 1 August 2015)

- Buenos Aires
  • civil union

yes
 (since July 2003)

yes
 (since July 2003)

Australia AustralienAustralia

- Australian Capital Territory
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 19 May 2008)

yes
 (since 19 May 2008)
  • civil union

yes
 (since 11 September 2012)

no

- New South Wales
  • registered relationship

yes
 (since 1 July 2010)

yes
 (since 1 July 2010)

- Queensland
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 23 February 2012)

yes
 (since 23 February 2012)

- Tasmania
  • caring relationship

yes
 (since 1 January 2004)

yes
 (since 1 January 2004)
  • significant relationship

yes
 (since 1 January 2004)

yes
 (since 1 January 2004)

- Victoria
  • registered caring relationship

yes
 (since 11 June 2009)

yes
 (since 11 June 2009)
  • registered domestic relationship

yes
 (since 1 December 2008)

yes
 (since 1 December 2008)

Belgium BelgienBelgium
  • cohabitation légale
  • legal cohabitation
  • wettelijke samenwoning

yes
 (since 1 January 2000)

yes
 (since 1 January 2000)

Bolivia BolivienBolivia
  • unión libre

no

yes
 (since August 6, 2015)

Brazil BrasilienBrazil
  • união estável

yes
 (since 2011)

yes
 (since 2003)

Cape VerdeKap Verde Cabo Verde
  • união de facto

no

yes
 (since 1997)

Chile ChileChile
  • acuerdo de unión civil

yes
 (since 22 October 2015)

yes
 (since 22 October 2015)

Germany DeutschlandGermany
  • registered civil partnership

yes
 (since August 1, 2001; as of October 1, 2017, no new foundations possible)

no

Ecuador EcuadorEcuador
  • unión de hecho

yes
 (since 15 September 2014)

yes
 (since 15 September 2014)

El Salvador El SalvadorEl Salvador
  • unión no matrimonial

no

yes
 (since 1 October 1994)

Finland FinnlandFinland
  • registrerat partnerskap
  • rekisteröity parisuhde

yes
 (since 1 March 2002)

no

France FrankreichFrance
  • pacte civil de solidarité

yes
 (since 16 November 1999)

yes
 (since 16 November 1999)

- Mayotte
  • pacte civil de solidarité

yes
 (since 1 January 2007)

yes
 (since 1 January 2007)

- New Caledonia- Wallis and Futuna
  • pacte civil de solidarité

yes
 (since 28 May 2009)

yes
 (since 28 May 2009)

Greece GriechenlandGreece
  • σύμφωνο συμβίωσης

yes
 (since 24 December 2015)

yes
 (since 26 November 2008)

Guatemala GuatemalaGuatemala
  • unión de hecho

no

yes
 (since 1 July 1964)

Honduras HondurasHonduras
  • unión de hecho

no

yes
 (since 2004)

Iceland IslandIceland
  • óvígð sambúð

yes
 (since 27 June 2006)

yes
 (since 1 January 1991)

Israel IsraelIsrael
  • ברית זוגיות
  • عقد مزاوجة

no

yes
 (since 22 September 2010)

Italy ItalienItaly
  • contratto di convivenza

yes
 (since June 5, 2016)

yes
 (since June 5, 2016)
  • civil union
  • registered partnership

yes
 (since June 5, 2016)

no

Canada KanadaCanada

- Manitoba
  • common-law relationship
  • union de fait

yes
 (since 30 June 2004)

yes
 (since 30 June 2004)

- Nova Scotia
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 4 June 2001)

yes
 (since 4 June 2001)

- Quebec
  • civil union
  • union civile

yes
 (since 24 June 2002)

yes
 (since 24 June 2002)

Colombia KolumbienColombia
  • unión marital de hecho

yes
 (since 2007)

yes
 (since 31 December 1990)

Croatia KroatienCroatia
  • životno partnerstvo

yes
 (since August 5, 2014)

no

Liechtenstein LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
  • registered partnership

yes
 (since 1 September 2011)

no

Luxembourg LuxemburgLuxembourg
  • registered partnership
  • partenariat enregistré

yes
 (since 1 November 2004)

yes
 (since 1 November 2004)

Malta MaltaMalta
  • civil union
  • unjoni ċivili

yes
 (since 17 April 2014)

yes
 (since 17 April 2014)

Mexico MexikoMexico

- federal district
  • concubinato

yes
 (since 1 November 2014)

yes
 (since 1 November 2014)
  • convivial society

yes
 (since 17 March 2007)

yes
 (since 17 March 2007)

- Campeche
  • civil society of conviviality

yes
 (since 1 July 2014)

yes
 (since 1 July 2014)

- Coahuila de Zaragoza
  • pacto civil de solidaridad

yes
 (since 12 January 2007)

yes
 (since 12 January 2007)

- Hidalgo
  • concubinato

no

yes
 (since 2007)

- Michoacán de Ocampo
  • convivial society

yes
 (since 30 November 2015)

yes
 (since 23 June 2016)

- Sinaloa
  • concubinato

no

yes
 (since 29 April 2013)

Monaco MonacoMonaco.
  • Contrat de vie commune

yes
 (since 1 July 2020)

yes
 (since 1 July 2030)

MontenegroMontenegro Montenegro

yes
 (since 1 July 2020)

no

New Zealand NeuseelandNew Zealand

- New Zealand
  • civil union

yes
 (since 26 April 2005)

yes
 (since 26 April 2005)

Nicaragua NicaraguaNicaragua
  • unión de hecho estable

no

yes
 (since April 8, 2015)

Netherlands NiederlandeNetherlands

- European Netherlands
  • geregistreerd partnerschap

yes
 (since 1 January 1998)

yes
 (since 1 January 1998)

- Caribbean Netherlands
  • geregistreerd partnerschap

yes
 (since 10 October 2012)

yes
 (since 10 October 2012)

AustriaÖsterreich Austria
  • registered partnership

yes
 (since 1 January 2010)

yes
 (as of January 1, 2019)

Paraguay ParaguayParaguay
  • unión de hecho

no

yes
 (since 1992)

Peru PeruPeru
  • unión de hecho

no

yes
 (since 18 April 2013)

Poland PolenPoland
  • concubinate

yes
 (2012)

yes
 (1997)

San Marino San MarinoSan Marino
  • civil union

yes

yes

Sao Tome and PrincipeSão Tomé und Príncipe São Tomé and Príncipe
  • união de facto

no

yes
 (since 28 September 1977)

Switzerland SchweizSwitzerland
  • registered partnership
  • partenariat enregistré
  • unione domestica registrata

yes
 (since 1 January 2007)

no

Slovenia SlowenienSlovenia
  • partnerska zveza

Yes
 (as of February 24, 2017)

no
  • registrirana istospolna partnerska skupnost

yes
 (since 23 July 2006)

no

Spain SpanienSpain

- Andalusia
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 29 December 2002)

yes
 (since 29 December 2002)

- Aragon
  • pareja estable no casada

yes
 (since 21 April 1999)

yes
 (since 21 April 1999)

- Asturias
  • pareja estable

yes
 (since 1 June 2002)

yes
 (since 1 June 2002)

- Balearic Islands
  • pareja estable

yes
 (since 29 January 2002)

yes
 (since 29 January 2002)

- Basque country
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 24 May 2003)

yes
 (since 24 May 2003)

- Ceuta
  • unión de hecho

yes
 (since 1998)

yes
 (since 1998)

- Extremadura
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 9 April 2003)

yes
 (since 9 April 2003)

- Galicia
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 2007)

yes
 (since 2007)

- Canary Islands
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 20 March 2003)

yes
 (since 20 March 2003)

- Cantabria
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 25 May 2005)

yes
 (since 25 May 2005)

- Castile-La Mancha
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 14 September 2000)

yes
 (since 14 September 2000)

- Castile and Leon
  • unión de hecho

yes
 (since 2003)

yes
 (since 2003)

- Catalonia
  • unió estable de parella

yes
 (since 1998)

yes
 (since 1998)

- La Rioja
  • pareja de hecho

yes

yes

- Madrid
  • unión de hecho

yes
 (since 4 January 2002)

yes
 (since 4 January 2002)

- Melilla
  • pareja de hecho

yes
 (since 1 February 2008)

yes
 (since 1 February 2008)

- Murcia
  • unión de hecho

yes

yes

- Navarre
  • pareja estable

yes
 (since 2000)

yes
 (since 2000)

- Valencian Community
  • unión de hecho formalizada

yes
 (since 18 November 2012)

yes
 (since 18 November 2012)

Sud AfricaSüdafrika South Africa
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 30 November 2006)

yes
 (since 30 November 2006)

Czech Republic TschechienCzech Republic
  • registrované partnerství

yes
 (since 1 July 2006)

no

Hungary UngarnHungary
  • bejegyzett élettársi kapcsolat

yes
 (since 1 July 2009)

no
  • nyilvántartott élettársi kapcsolat

yes
 (since 1 January 2010)

yes
 (since 1 January 2010)

Uruguay UruguayUruguay
  • unión concubinaria

yes
 (since 1 January 2008)

yes
 (since 1 January 2008)

VenezuelaVenezuela Venezuela
  • unión estable de hecho

no

yes
 (since 15 March 2010)

United Kingdom Vereinigtes KönigreichUnited Kingdom

- England and Wales
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 5 December 2005)

yes
 (as of Dec 2, 2019)

- Gibraltar
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 28 March 2014)

yes
 (since 28 March 2014)

- Isle of Man
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 6 April 2011)

yes
 (since 22 July 2016)

- Jersey
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since April 2, 2012)

no

- Northern Ireland
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 5 December 2005)

no

- Scotland
  • civil partnership

yes
 (since 5 December 2005)

no

United States Vereinigte StaatenUnited States

- federal district
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 2002)

yes
 (since 2002)

- Colorado
  • civil union

yes
 (since May 1, 2013)

yes
 (since May 1, 2013)
  • designated beneficiary agreement

yes
 (since 1 July 2009)

yes
 (since 1 July 2009)

- Hawaii
  • civil union

yes
 (since 1 January 2012)

yes
 (since 1 January 2012)
  • reciprocal beneficiary relationship

yes
 (since 8 July 1997)

yes
 (since 8 July 1997)

- Illinois
  • civil union

yes
 (since 1 June 2011)

yes
 (since 1 June 2011)

- California
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 1999)

yes
 (since 1999)

- Maine
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 30 July 2004)

yes
 (since 30 July 2004)

- Nevada
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 1 October 2009)

yes
 (since 1 October 2009)

- New Jersey
  • civil union

yes
 (since 19 February 2007)

no
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 10 July 2004)

yes
 (since 10 July 2004)

- Oregon
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 1 February 2008)

no

- Washington
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since 22 July 2007)

yes
 (since 22 July 2007)

- Wisconsin
  • domestic partnership

yes
 (since August 3, 2009)

no

Cyprus Republic ofRepublik ZypernCyprus
  • πολιτική συμβίωση
  • medeni birliktelik

yes
 (since 9 December 2015)

yes
 (since 9 December 2015)



Registered partnerships worldwide (repealed)

State

Designation

same sex

misgendered

Denmark DenmarkDänemark

- Denmark
  • registreret partnerskab

partly
 (1 October 1989 - 15 June 2012)

no

- Greenland
  • nalunaarsukkamik inooqatigiinneq
  • registreret partnerskab

partly
 (1 July 1996 - 1 April 2016)

no

Ireland IrlandIreland
  • civil partnership
  • páirtnéireacht shibhialta

partly
 (1 January 2011 - 16 November 2015)

no

Iceland IslandIceland
  • staðfesta samvist

partly
 (27 June 1996 - 27 June 2010)

no

Mexico MexikoMexico

- Colima
  • enlace conyugal

Partly
 (11 August 2013 - 12 June 2016)

no

Norway NorwegenNorway
  • registered partnerskap

partly
 (1 August 1993 - 1 January 2009)

no

Sweden SchwedenSweden
  • registrerat partnerskap

partly
 (1 January 1995 - 1 May 2009)

no

United States Vereinigte StaatenUnited States

- Connecticut
  • civil union

partly
 (1 October 2005 - 1 October 2010)

no

- Delaware
  • civil union

partly
 (1 January 2012 - 1 July 2013)

no

- New Hampshire
  • civil union

partly
 (1 January 2008 - 1 January 2010)

no

- Rhode Island
  • civil union

partly
 (1 July 2011 - 1 August 2013)

no

- Vermont
  • civil union

partly
 (1 July 2000 - 1 September 2009)

no




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