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Civil Unions In the State of Connecticut
A civil union is a legal relationship that provides same-sex couples in Connecticut all the benefits, protections and responsibilities under Connecticut law as are granted to spouses in a marriage. The rules for a civil union are virtually identical to the rules for a wedding license.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can form a civil union?
Both parties to a civil union must be of the same sex/gender and therefore ineligible for marriage.
Both parties must be at least 18 years of age, of sound mind, and not already in a marriage or another civil union. Connecticut also does not allow a civil union between close relatives.
Do we need a license?
Yes. Before your ceremony you will need to purchase a Connecticut civil union license. ($30) It must be presented to the officiator (JP/clergy) before your civil union is performed. A civil union license is valid and a ceremony may be performed within a period of not more than sixty-five days after the date of application.
Do we need blood tests?
No.
Where do we get a civil union license?
The civil union license must be issued by the registrar of vital statistics either in the Connecticut town in which the civil union will take place or where either person to be joined in the civil union resides. (Town clerk at town hall)
What information do we need to purchase a civil union license in Connecticut ?
You must know your legal town of residence and your place of birth; you will also need to know your parents' names, including your mother's maiden name, and the states/country where your parents were born (a certified copy of your birth certificate can supply most of this information). Connecticut law requires that both of you must sign in the presence of the town clerk, certifying that all facts are correct. They may legally ask to see documented proof of your statements, (such as birth certificates, divorce decrees, etc)
What if either of us has been married or in a civil union before?
If you are a widow or widower, you are free to form a civil union. You will be asked the date that your spouse died. If you are divorced you may remarry after the date on which your previous marriage or civil union is dissolved.
Can a civil union license be issued through the postal mail?
No.
Can we form a civil union by proxy?
No.
Is there a waiting period?
No.
Where can we form a civil union?
A Connecticut license is valid only for a civil union performed in Connecticut . If you are a Connecticut resident or forming a civil union with a Connecticut resident you may form a civil union anywhere in Connecticut . If you are not a Connecticut resident you must form a civil union in the town where your license is issued.
Who can certify our civil union?
A judge, Supreme Court justice, assistant judge, Justice of the Peace, or an ordained or licensed member of the clergy residing in Connecticut may perform your ceremony. (my note: clergy must be practicing, not the "Internet ministers")
What do we do with the license?
By law you must deliver the license to the person who will conduct your civil union ceremony before the civil union can be performed.
Do we need witnesses?
Connecticut law does not require witnesses. If you are planning a religious ceremony check with your church or synagogue to see if religious tenets require witnesses for your civil union.
What happens to the license after the ceremony?
The person who performs the ceremony (officiate) will complete the sections concerning the date, place and officiate information and sign your license. It must then be returned to the town clerk's office of the town where the civil union took place so that your civil union may be officially registered. It is not a complete legal document useful for passports, social security, etc. until it has been recorded in the town clerk's office where it was purchased.
How do we get a copy of our civil union certificate?
A certified copy can be obtained from the Registrar of Vital Statistics (Town Clerk) of the town where the civil union was performed for $5.00. It can be done in person or by mail.
MORE info:
New form is called a “Civil Union License and Certificate” and is “nearly identical” to the marriage license.
The civil union license also asks for the gender of the individuals,
For the new same-sex union license forms, people are referred to as “Party 1” and “Party 2.”
The public health department will administer the new licenses, which are considered an addition to the state's vital records that include marriages, births and deaths. Civil unions will be recorded and indexed separately.
Camposeo said the information on vital records is a “functional record” for many federal agencies. For example, information on birth records and fetal death records is transferred to the Centers for Disease Control.
No one under 18 years old can participate in a civil union, unlike a marriage, when a person under 18 can be married with parental consent or approval from a probate court judge.
Anyone eligible to perform a marriage ceremony has the authority to perform a civil union ceremony. However, those officiants can refuse to join two people in a civil union and are not subject to fines or penalties. According to the public health department, marriage statutes are silent about the liability of those who refuse to perform a marriage.
The new law can be viewed on the General Assembly's Web site.
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