q STARTING DOWN THE PRIMROSE PATH
If you’re planning to marry soon, you probably have thought about the many ways it will affect your life. Before you marry, you must get a marriage license from the town clerk in the town where you or your partner reside.
If both you and your partner are 18 or older, you do not need your parents’ consent to get married. Your parents’ permission is needed if you are less than 18; and if you happen to be less than 16, permission from a court in your county is also required.
You can be married by an ordained minister of any religion, a judge, or a justice of the peace. There is no “common law” marriage in Vermont. To be married, you must go through the marriage process outlined above.
If you and your partner are the same sex, you may not marry, but you may enter into a civil union. Except for the same-sex requirement, the procedure for entering into a civil union is the same as that for a marriage. In Vermont, a civil union carries with it all the same benefits and obligations of marriage. Civil unions are not recognized by the federal government, however, or by most other states, and you will most likely be treated as a single person by those entities. If you are contemplating entering into a civil union and need more information about how it will affect you in and outside of Vermont, you should contact an attorney.
If you are experiencing difficulties in married life or in a civil union, or if you have concerns prior to entering into either of these relationships, there are counselors available to help you and your partner through your troubles. The phone book is a good source for locating a counselor in your area. If your partner is abusive or threatening toward you, however, see the section below on “Domestic Violence.”
No matter where or how you are married, remember: marriage is a contract that imposes certain obligations. For example, each spouse must support the other, and parents must support their children. If you do not, you could be charged with a crime, and you could have your children taken from you and placed with a relative, foster home, or the state. The same is true for partners in a civil union in Vermont and in any state where civil unions are recognized.
After you’re married or enter into a civil union, there are several new questions you will face regarding your life together.
28 On Your Own, 2008 Edition
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