De facto union
About de facto union
Two people can live together and found a family without marrying or forming a civil union. They are considered to be in a de facto union, and each is the de facto spouse of the other.
Parental union
If you and your spouse become the parents of the same child on or after June 30, 2025, you may become parental union spouses by operation of law. For more information on the conditions governing the formation of a parental union, or on how to voluntarily form one, see the section on parental union.
Specific rules apply to parental union spouses.
Under the Civil Code, you and your de facto spouse do not have the same rights and responsibilities as married, civil union or parental union couples, no matter how long you’ve lived together. For example, if your de facto spouse dies, you cannot inherit their property unless it was willed to you.
However, your children's rights are not affected. All children have the same rights, whether or not their parents are married.
You and your de facto spouse can, if you wish, define the rights and obligations you wish to recognize, for example by making and signing a cohabitation agreement.
Last update: March 5, 2025