TN 1 (02-10)

A. Acceptable Civil Union Documents for a Name Change

Accept US-issued civil union documents from States which allow for the establishment of civil unions. These states are listed below.

1. Connecticut

Accept a civil union certificate for a civil union that took place 10/01/05 or later issued by jurisdictions (town, county or State) in the State of Connecticut as evidence of a name change.

Under the Connecticut civil union law that became effective on 10/01/05, two people of the same sex who meet certain eligibility criteria may enter into a civil union in Connecticut. The Connecticut DMV accepts the Connecticut civil union certificates for a name change.

A civil union is dissolved by a court decree of dissolution or annulment of the civil union. Upon dissolution or annulment of the civil union, the prior surname may be resumed. In these cases, evidence of the dissolution or annulment of the union is acceptable evidence of the name change back to the prior surname.

The following is a brief description of the Connecticut civil union document:

• The document title is "Civil Union Certificate".

• Both names appear as Party 1 and Party 2.

• Document shows biographical data (i.e., DOB, age, parents' names) in addition to other personal data.

2. New Jersey

Accept a civil union certificate for a civil union that took place 02/19/07 or later issued by jurisdictions (town, county or State) in the State of New Jersey. An individual who enters into a civil union in the State of New Jersey may legally change his or her name in New Jersey without a court order.

Either party to the union can: adopt the surname of the other party, both parties’ surnames, or both parties’ hyphenated surnames.

The civil union is dissolved through a court proceeding and upon dissolution of the civil union, the prior surname may be resumed. In these cases, evidence of the dissolution of union is acceptable evidence of the name change back to the prior surname.

The following is a brief description of the New Jersey civil union documents:

• The document title is “Certificate of Civil Union”

• Both names appear as Party A and B

• Document shows biographical data.

3. Vermont

Accept a civil union document for a civil union that took place between 07/01/00 and 08/31/2009 issued by jurisdictions (town, county or State) in the State of Vermont.

Under the Vermont civil union law that became effective on 07/01/00, two people of the same sex who meet certain eligibility criteria may enter into a civil union in Vermont. This includes non-residents of Vermont. People who enter into a civil union in Vermont can have their names changed (e.g., each member of a civil union can change his or her surname to the partner’s surname).

In addition to the name, the civil union document shows biographical information about the person. The Vermont civil union document shows the same information about the parties to a civil union as the State-issued Vermont marriage document shows about the parties to a marriage.

4. Illinois

Accept a civil union certificate for a civil union that took place on June 1, 2011 or later issued by Jurisdictions (town, county or state) in the State of Illinois as evidence of a name change. See PR 02705.016 Illinois.

5. Hawaii

Accept a civil union document for a civil union that took place on January 1, 2012 or later issued by jurisdictions (town, county or State) in the state of Hawaii as evidence of a name change based on a U.S. Civil Union. See PR 02705.014 Hawaii.

6. Delaware

Accept a civil union certificate for a civil union that took place on January 1, 2012 or later issued by jurisdictions (town, county or State) in the state of Delaware as evidence of a name change. See PR 02705.009 Delaware.

7. Rhode Island

Accept a civil union certificate for a civil union that took place on July 1, 2011 or later issued by Jurisdictions (town, county or state) in the State of Rhode Island as evidence of a name change. See PR 02705.044 Rhode Island

8. Colorado

Accept a civil union certificate for a civil union that took place on May 1, 2013 or later issued by jurisdictions (town, county or state) in the State of Colorado as acceptable evidence of a name change. See PR 02705.007 Colorado.

B. Civil union documents from other States

See the Regional Chief Counsel Precedents, PR 02705.000 Name Change Due to Civil Union based on State Law, to determine if the civil union document being submitted has been evaluated as evidence for a name change. There may be more then one legal opinion listed for the relevant State. Therefore, scroll through the entire section when searching, to locate a precedent for the type of document submitted.

If there is no legal opinion on name change for a State-issued civil union document, consult with your regional office (RO). The RO should request a legal opinion from the Regional Chief Counsel on whether the civil union document constitutes a legal name change in the State where the civil union was entered. This opinion will be used to update RM 10212.

C. Reference

• GN 01010.815, FOs Initial Request for a Legal Opinion

• RM 10212.055, Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN based on Marriage, Civil Union or Domestic Partnership