Bill > SB1041

This bill establishes civil unions in Arizona, defining them as a contractual relationship between two eligible individuals who are at least eighteen years old, not related by blood in a disqualifying way, not currently married, and competent to contract. To enter a civil union, applicants must submit a notarized affidavit with their personal information to the clerk of the superior court, who will then issue a certificate of civil union. Parties to a civil union are granted the same legal responsibilities and benefits as married couples under Arizona law, including rights related to community property, inheritance, personal representation, guardianship, conservatorship, life insurance, burial, cremation, and adoption. For legal purposes, the term "spouse" will include parties to a civil union. The bill also allows parties to modify the terms of their civil union similarly to premarital agreements and mandates that civil unions be dissolved through the same legal process as marriages, with applicable filing fees. Importantly, this legislation does not compel any religious organization to participate in formalizing a civil union.