What is the Difference Between Civil Union and Marriage?

The main difference between a civil union and a marriage is that a civil union is not recognized by the federal government, whereas a marriage is. Civil unions are only recognized by individual states, and the benefits and rights granted by civil unions vary from state to state. Some of the key differences between civil unions and marriages include:

Federal Benefits: Marriages provide certain unique rights and protections at the federal level, such as Social Security benefits and health coverage for spouses, which are not necessarily available to partners in a civil union.
State-Level Recognition: Civil unions are recognized by some states, but not all of them. Marriages, on the other hand, are recognized across the United States.
Legal Protections: While civil unions generally provide many of the same legal protections as marriages, such as inheritance rights and eligibility for spousal employment benefits, these protections are only guaranteed within the state where the civil union was issued.

Despite these differences, civil unions and marriages share many of the same rights, benefits, and legal protections at the state level. Ultimately, the choice between a civil union and a marriage depends on the specific needs and preferences of the couple involved, as well as the state-level recognition and federal benefits offered by each option.