A civil union is a legally recognized relationship between members of a same-sex couple, with rights similar to those of a marriage relationship.
In Delaware, civil unions were previously recognized as a legal relationship between same-sex couples that provided rights similar to those of marriage. However, since July 1, 2013, Delaware has legalized same-sex marriage, and civil unions are no longer performed. The state converted existing civil unions to marriages on July 1, 2014. This means that same-sex couples in Delaware now have the right to marry, and those rights are identical to the rights of opposite-sex couples. Couples in a civil union prior to the conversion still retain the legal benefits, protections, and responsibilities that were granted under the civil union, but these are now recognized under the status of marriage.