Because Form 10-03 questions focus on the ownership of the mortgaged property, we believe that it would be appropriate to enter an applicant’s marital status under Illinois law. If an applicant is a party to a civil union, it would be most accurate to list the applicant as “married” on the Form 10-03, as Illinois law provides a party to a civil union with “the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits” as a married spouse.

As to out-of-state marriages and civil unions, the Illinois law providing for civil unions, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, includes a reciprocity provision stating that Illinois law recognizes marriages, civil unions, and any other “substantially similar legal relationship” between persons of the same sex as civil unions under Illinois law (with the exception of common law marriages, which are generally not recognized under Illinois law, even for heterosexual couples). 750 ILCS 75/60.