Vermont permits eligible couples of the same sex to be joined in civil union. Parties to a civil union have all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under Vermont law, whether they derive from statute, policy, administrative or court rule, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage. However, a civil union is not a marriage and it is unclear as to whether other jurisdictions will recognize a civil union or whether the federal benefits of marriage will also apply to civil unions. In order to be joined in civil union the couple must complete the following steps: Apply for a civil union license from the town clerk of the town where either party resides or, if neither is a resident of the state, from any Vermont town clerk. At least one of the parties must sign the license application and pay a $20.00 fee to the town clerk. The couple must then deliver the license to an official authorized to certify a civil union: a judge, justice of the peace or member of the clergy. The civil union may be certified anywhere in the state. The official must perform the certification within sixty days after the town clerk issues the license. The official must fill out and sign a portion of the civil union license. If the certification is delayed for more than sixty days a new license must be issued. Within ten days of the certification, the official who certifies the union must return it to the town clerk who issued it.
The Vermont Family Court has jurisdiction over all proceedings relating to the dissolution of civil unions. The dissolution of civil unions follows the same procedures and is subject to the same substantive rights and obligations that are involved in the dissolution of marriage, including any residency requirements. It is unclear how other states may handle a civil union dissolution; however, in Vermont, a residency requirement exists for dissolving either a marriage or a civil union. A complaint to dissolve a civil union in Vermont may be brought if either party to the civil union has resided within the state for a period of six months or more, but dissolution cannot be granted unless one of the parties has resided in the state for at least one year preceding the date of the final hearing.
