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 Maine, civil unions are not a legally recognized status as of the current legal framework. Maine legalized same-sex marriage on December 29, 2012, following a statewide referendum. Since then, same-sex couples have been able to marry and are granted the same legal rights, responsibilities, and protections as opposite-sex married couples under state law. Prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage, Maine did recognize domestic partnerships, which provided some legal protections to same-sex couples, but these were not equivalent to marriage. With the legalization of same-sex marriage, couples in a domestic partnership or those seeking rights similar to marriage are encouraged to enter into a marriage rather than seek a civil union or domestic partnership.