Civil Unions

In recent weeks, we have received many questions regarding the enactment of Public Act No. 05-10, 'An Act Concerning Civil Unions'. The provisions of this Act authorize the State of Connecticut to legally recognize unions between same sex couples. To implement this Act, the state created a new vital record, a 'Civil Union Certificate'. The laws governing civil unions mirror Connecticut's marriage laws, and in most ways, this new vital record will be created and registered in the same manner as a marriage record. There are a couple of notable exceptions. This document will address the most frequently asked questions about Public Act No. 05-10, explain the implementation and registration procedures for this new vital record, and highlight some of the differences between the laws governing civil unions and marriage.

• A civil union is a legal union between two people of the same sex which grants the parties all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under state law, whether derived from the general statutes, administrative regulations or court rules, policy, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage.
• The civil union law goes into effect on October 1, 2005. No civil union license may be applied for or issued prior to this date.
• There is no residency requirement for Connecticut Civil Unions.
• To be eligible to enter into a civil union, a person must be: Over 18 or an emancipated minor; Of the same sex as the other party to the civil union; Not a party to another civil union or marriage; Not the parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of the other party to the civil union; and Not under the supervision of a conservator, unless written consent is provided by the conservator.
• Persons who are already joined in a Vermont civil union or California domestic partnership may not enter into a Connecticut civil union since they are already joined in a relationship which is legally recognized in Connecticut.
• Persons who are already joined in a Massachusefts same-sex marriage are eligible to enter into a Connecticut civil union, since the same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in Connecticut.
• Any person eligible to officiate a marriage ceremony in this state is granted the authority to perform a civil union ceremony. The law expressly states that any authorized person who refuses for any reason to join persons in a civil union is not subject to any fine or other penalty.
• Application and issuance procedures for civil union licenses are the same as those established for applying for and issuing marriage licenses.
• Registration and filing procedures for civil union certificates are the same as those established for registering and filing marriage certificates.
• A civil union is dissolved through a court proceeding similar to a dissolution of a marriage.
• The fee for a civil union license is $30.
• The fee for a certified copy of a civil union certificate is $20.

If you would like further details about Public Act 05-10, you can review the new legislation on the website of the General Assembly at http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/act/pa/2005pa-00010-r00sb-00963-pa.htm.

Download a Civil Union License worksheet (bring with you when filing for a license).