Same Sex Marriage and Civil Unions are not recognized in Georgia, under both the Georgia Constitution, and Georgia State Law. (See the text of these laws below.)

"Domestic Partner"is a term used generally in Georgia to mean either a same sex or opposite sex couple living in a committed relationship, known as a Domestic Partnership. There is no legal definition of "Domestic Partner" or "Domestic Partnership" in Georgia State law.

However, several county and city governments in Georgia provide health insurance benefits to the domestic partners of county/city employees. Also, many private employers offer health insurance to the domestic partners of their employees. Each government entity and private employer has its own requirement for establishing the domestic partnership status of their employees prior to providing health insurance benefits to the domestic partner.

Currently, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Iowa, and in January, 2010, New Hampshire, are the only states that recognize gay marriages, although same sex couples married in those states do not have any of the Federal rights granted to opposite sex married couples. New Jersey  recognizes Civil Unions, and California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada recognize Domestic Partnerships. New York and the District of Columbia recognize marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. An excellent source for current information on the status of same sex union recognition in the United States is the website of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). www.hrc.org/issues/marriage.asp

However, Georgia couples entering into a Same Sex Marriage, Civil Union or Domestic Partnership Registration from another state WILL NOT obtain any rights in Georgia as a result of that marriage, civil union, or domestic partner registration. Also "Commitment Ceremonies" performed in Georgia or any other location on the planet do not provide ANY legal status or legal protection to the relationship. The only way to obtain any legal protections for same sex relationships in Georgia is for couples to sign written documents such as those described in the Domestic Partner Package referenced in this website.

The Constitution of the State of Georgia, Article I, Section IV (GA CONST Art. 1, § 4, ¶ I)provides as follows:

      (a) It is declared to be the public policy of this state to recognize the union only of man and woman. Marriages between persons of the same sex are prohibited in this state.

      (b) No marriage between persons of the same sex shall be recognized as entitled to the benefits of marriage. Any marriage entered into by persons of the same sex pursuant to a marriage license issued by another state or foreign jurisdiction or otherwise shall be void in this state. Any contractual rights granted by virtue of such license shall be unenforceable in the courts of this state and the courts of this state shall have no jurisdiction whatsoever under any circumstances to grant a divorce or separate maintenance with respect to such marriage or otherwise to consider or rule on any of the parties' respective rights arising as a result of or in connection with such marriage.