What is the difference between civil unions and marriage?

What is the difference between civil unions and marriage?

A civil union is a legal relationship between two people that provides legal protections to the couple only at the state level. A civil union is not a marriage, though. Civil unions do not provide federal protections, benefits, or responsibilities to couples, and a civil union may not be recognized by all states.

What is the difference between a civil union and a marriage in South Africa?

Legally speaking, however, there is no difference between the two and the rights and obligations afforded to all couples in the Civil Unions Act are the same as those afforded to only heterosexual couples in terms of the Marriages Act.

What does Civil mean in a marriage?

A civil marriage is a marriage performed, recorded and recognised by a government official. Such a marriage may be performed by a religious body and recognised by the state, or it may be entirely secular.