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In March 2005, the Principality of Andorra first recognized the right of same-sex couples to join in civil unions. Both co-princes of Andorra (the President of France, and the Bishop of Urgell) have already signed a new civil code into law, despite existing controversy over the code's provisions on abortion.

The new code takes effect after publication in the Government Reporter of Andorra, along with the new law covering "stable unions of couples". [1]

This law took effect without the signature of the episcopal co-prince Joan Enric, the current Bishop of Urgell. Although the co-princes are both Chiefs of State for Andorra, only a single signature is required to sanction and promulgate new laws, and to order their publication in the Principality of Andorra. The law that was approved unanimously in the Council on 21 February took effect immediately, but only with the signature of co-prince Jacques Chirac, the President of France.

The relationship is called "unió estable de parella" - stable union of a couple.

Eligibility The couple must not be related in direct line by consanguinity or adoption, or in the collateral line by consanguinity to the fourth degree. Both partners must be adults or emancipated minors; must not be already married or in an existing stable union; must live as a couple; and at least one partner must be a resident of Andorra or an Andorran national.

The process of registration The couple must submit an application accompanied by the following documents: A sworn declaration of cohabitation; a copy of the current passport or identity document of both partners; a certificate of residency for each partner (Andorran nationals are exempt from this requirement); a private pact signed by both partners setting out property and personal relations arising from the relationship and the rights and obligations of the relationship; a sworn statement by two witnesses confirming the permanent nature of the cohabitation.

The stable union is registered six months after the declaration and is then entered into the Register of Stable Unions.

Rights and responsibilities A couple in a stable union have legal rights and responsibilities including the obligation to support one another; the right to compensation and maintenance in the event of a break up; the ability to adopt a child subject to the same rules as a married couple; and the same rights as spouses for the purposes of social security and employment law.

Dissolution A stable union ends by the marriage of either party; the death of either party; a unilateral declaration by formal written notification notified to the other party; or a mutual declaration.

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