Wondering how civil unions differ from marriage. Still, what many folks do not know is that there are major differences between marriages and civil unions. These differences affect everything from health insurance to taxes. The difference between a marriage and a civil union is more than just a name or term. Instead, there is more to the difference than religion and ideas about right and wrong.

Marriage really isn't just about love and religion: it is also a contract recognized by the government. Civil unions are only recognized in the state in which they are performed. If you have a civil union in Vermont, it will not be recognized in a state like Arkansas, one that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

One of the major differences between civil unions and marriage is that folks who have a civil union do not have the benefits or perks of the marriage. Since a marriage is a legal contract that joins two people, it means that they can receive tax breaks like filing a joint return. However, a couple in a civil union does not receive such benefits.

The lack of federal benefits can really make all the difference. For example, if a person's partner passes away, the other partner would not be able to take sick leave to care for their partner or receive survivor benefits through Social Security because the civil union is not looked upon in the same way as a marriage. Similarly, those with a civil union won't be able to place their partner on their health insurance but those who are married can. 

Another issue that folks don't think about is that if a couple wants to end their civil union, they have to do it in the state in which they had it performed. If you are a legally married heterosexual couple, you can have this done in any of the 50 states.