Same-Sex Relationship Recognition by State

Here are the states in which same-sex couples can enter into committed legal relationships through state-recognized procedures. The range of rights provided is broad. Some states allow full legal marriage for same-sex couples. Some provide a "marriage equivalent" such as a civil union or domestic partnership, with many or all of the rights and benefits of marriage. Other states allow gay and lesbian couples to register in relationships that provide some benefits, but far fewer than those enjoyed by married couples.

To find out the details of the same-sex relationship laws in your state, see Nolo's article Same-Sex Marriage: Developments in the Law.

State	Type of Relationship	Effective Date	Is Relationship a Marriage Equivalent?	State DOMA law or Constitutional Amendment?*
California	Domestic Partnership Marriage	1999 (DP) 6/2013 (M)	Yes	Yes but overturned in court.
Colorado	Civil Unions	2013	Yes	Yes
Connecticut	Civil Union Marriage	2005 (CU) 2008 (M)	Yes	No
Delaware	Marriage	7/2013	Yes	No
District of Columbia	Domestic Partners Marriage	2002 2010	Yes	No
Hawaii	Civil Union	1/2012	Yes	Yes
Illinois	Civil Union	7/1/2011	Yes	Yes
Iowa	Marriage	4/2009	Yes	No
Maine	Marriage	2012	Yes	No
Maryland	Marriage	1/2013	Yes	No
Massachusetts	Marriage	5/2004	Yes	No
Minnesota	Marriage	8/2013	Yes	No
Nevada	Domestic Partner	10/2009	Yes	Yes
New Hampshire	Civil Union Marriage	2008 (CU) 2010 (M)	Yes	No
New Jersey	Civil Union	2/2007	Yes	No
New York	Marriage	2011	Yes	No
Oregon	Domestic Partner	2/2008	Yes	Yes
Rhode Island	Marriage	8/2013	Yes	No
Vermont	Marriage	9/2009	Yes	No
Washington	Domestic Partner Marriage	2009 (DP) 2012 (M)	Yes	Yes
Wisconsin	Domestic Partner	7/2009	No	Yes

States that have passed a defense of marriage act (DOMA) or a constitutional amendment have effectively limited legal marriage to couples of the opposite sex. In order for same-sex marriage to become possible in these states, their DOMA laws must be overturned or their constitutions amended.

For a comprehensive breakdown of the complex and ever-changing rules of same-sex relationship laws, a review of all the issues that influence the decision to marry, and practical guidance on one of the most important decisions a couple can make, get Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnership & Civil Unions, by Frederick Hertz with Emily Doskow (Nolo).

Same-Sex Relationship Recognition by State

A look at states that recognize same-sex marriage, civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, and more.