Civil Unions in Vermont

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                             A Quiet New England Village in Southern Vermont....
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                              VERMONT CIVIL UNION GUIDELINES

This information is to help you plan your Vermont Civil Union. We have tried to
answer the questions couples most often ask. If you have any questions that are not
answered, contact your Town Clerk or the Vital Records of the Vermont Department of Health.

WHAT IS A CIVIL UNION?
A civil union is a legal relationship that provides same-sex couples in Vermont all the,
benefits, protections and responsibilities under law as granted to spouses in a marriage.

WHO CAN FORM A CIVIL UNION?
Both parties to a civil union must be of the same-sex and therefore ineligible for marriage. Both parties must be
at least eighteen years old, of sound mind, and not already in a marriage or civil union. Vermont also does not
allow a civil union between close relatives. Anyone under guardianship must have the guardian sign an affidavit
consenting to the union. You do not have to be Vermont residents to form a civil union in Vermont.

IS THERE A WAITING PERIOD?
No. Vermont law allows you to perform your civil union the day your license is issued.

WHERE DO WE GET A CIVIL UNION LICENSE?
If both parties are Vermont residents, you may go to the town clerk in either of your towns of residence.
If just one of you is a Vermont resident, you must go to the town clerk of the town in Vermont where you
currently reside. The civil union license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The cost is $23.00.

WHAT IF WE ARE NOT VERMONT RESIDENTS ?
If neither party is a Vermont resident, you may get the license from any town clerk in the state.

WHERE CAN WE HAVE OUR CIVIL UNION CERTIFIED?
With a valid Vermont License, your civil union can be certified anywhere in Vermont, but only in Vermont.

WHO CAN CERTIFY OUR CIVIL UNION?
A Supreme Court Justice, a Superior Court Judge, a District Judge, a Judge of Probate, an Assistant Judge,
a Justice of the Peace, or an ordained or licensed member of the clergy residing in Vermont can certify your civil
union. A clergy member residing in some other state, or in Canada, can certify your civil union if he or
she first obtains a special authorization from a Probate Court in the district where the certification will take place.

HOW DO WE GET A COPY OF OUR CIVIL UNION CERTIFICATE?
There are two ways to obtain a copy of your civil union certificate:
(1) When you purchase your license, you may arrange with the Town Clerk to mail you a certified
copy of your certificate as soon as your civil union is recorded. Since the cost of the license is $23.00
you would then pay the Town Clerk $30.00, as the price for a certified copy is$7.00;

(2) Two weeks or more after the ceremony, you may request, in person or in writing,
a copy from the Town Clerk’s office where you purchased your license; a six or
more weeks after your ceremony, you may request, in person or writing , a certified
copy from the Vital Records Unit. Either way, the fee is $7.00, and you will receive
a copy of the original certificate, embossed with the town or state seal and signed and
dated by the appropriate official. These certified copies are accepted for all legal purpose.

DO WE NEED WITNESSES OR BLOOD TESTS?
Vermont law does not require witnesses or blood tests.

The information of Vermont Civil Union Guidelines has been provide by the Vital Records Unit of the
Vermont Department of Health. If you need further information, the Vital Records Unit can be reached
at (802)863-7275 or1-800-439-5008. Their address is, 108 Cherry Street , P.O. Box 70, Burlington , VT 05402.

TOWN CLERKS
Area Code (802)

ARLINGTON             Robin                                     375-2332
DANBY                      Janice Arnold                         293-5136
DORSET                     Denise Hebert                         362-1178
LONDONDERRY      James Twitchell                      824-3356
MANCHESTER          Linda Spence                          362-1315
SUNDERLAND             Rose Keough                        375-6106

IS THERE A WAITING PERIOD? No. Vermont law allows you to perform your civil union the day your license is issued.

IS THERE A WAITING PERIOD?
No. Vermont law allows you to perform your civil union the day your license is issued.