Civil unions (same-gender marriages) have been legal in NJ since the end of February 2007, yet there are still misconceptions about them. I'd like to address a few of them:
1. First of all, civil unions are not the same thing as a civil ceremony. I've had several heterosexual couples call me and request a civil union, when what they really wanted was a civil (non-religious) ceremony. NJ civil unions are for same-gender couples only.
2. The same-gender couple does not need to reside in NJ in order to have a NJ civil union. I've officiated civil unions for couples who traveled to NJ from PA, NY, LA and FL, just so they could say that their union was legally recognized somewhere, even if it wouldn't be recognized when they returned to their home state. That legal piece of paper (the civil union license) is very important to some couples.
3. Just because it's called a civil union, doesn't mean the couple can only have a civil (non-religious) ceremony. There are many ministers in NJ who will gladly perform a religious civil union ceremony for a same-gender couple. However, ministers are not obligated by law to perform NJ civil unions. If same-gender marriage conflicts with the minister's religious beliefs, he/she may may refuse to perform the ceremony for you. NJ mayors and judges, being civil servants, must perform BOTH civil unions (same-gender marriages) AND heterosexual marriages or perform NEITHER, according to a ruling by the NJ State Attorney General. They are not allowed to pick and choose by performing one and not the other.
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