civil union

noun

a relationship between a couple that is legally recognized by a governmental authority and has many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage:
civil unions for same-sex couples.
civil marriage.

First frecorded in 1835–40

Several Italian cities, including Naples, already have a civil union registry.

Those who wish to have a civil union should be able to marry by an officer of the state.

Advocates in Missouri seem beyond pushing the governor on the matter and are not even pursuing civil-union legislation.

As a matter of fact, France already allows a form of civil union, known as the PACS or civil solidarity pact.

“We had our civil-union ceremony, what we considered the big day,” says Berg.

Whether, in 1689, it would have been possible to effect a civil union without a religious union may well be doubted.

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