Partnercivils

Partnercivils is a term that refers to a legal or contractual relationship between two individuals who are not married but have chosen to formalize their commitment in a manner recognized by law in certain jurisdictions. This type of partnership aims to provide some of the legal protections and rights typically associated with marriage, such as those related to inheritance, property division, healthcare decisions, and child custody. The specific rights and responsibilities conferred by a partnercivil designation vary significantly depending on the country, state, or municipality where it is established.

The concept of partnercivils emerged as a way to acknowledge and support committed same-sex relationships before marriage equality became widespread. In many places, it was a precursor to civil unions or full marriage rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. Today, in jurisdictions that offer marriage equality, partnercivils may still exist as an alternative for couples who do not wish to marry for personal, religious, or philosophical reasons, or it may be a more limited form of recognition. The eligibility criteria and the legal framework surrounding partnercivils are defined by local legislation.