Civil status, or marital status, are the distinct options that describe a person's relationship with a
significant other. ''
Married'', ''
single
Single may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Single (music), a song release
Songs
* "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004
* "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008
* "Single" (William Wei song), 2016
* "Single", by ...
'', ''
divorced'', and ''
widowed'' are examples of civil status.
''Civil status'' and ''marital status'' are terms used in
forms,
vital records, and other documents to ask or indicate whether a person is married or single. In the simplest contexts, no further distinction is made. A status of ''married'' means that a person was
wed in a manner legally recognized by their
jurisdiction. A person's specified civil status might also be ''married'' if they are in a
civil union or
common-law marriage. The civil status of a person who is
legally separated is ''married''.
Whether a
cohabiting couple (such as in a
domestic partnership
A domestic partnership is a legal relationship, usually between couples, who live together and share a common domestic life, but are not married (to each other or to anyone else). People in domestic partnerships receive benefits that guarantee r ...
) have a civil status of "married" depends on the circumstances and the jurisdiction. In addition to those who have never married, ''single'' status applies to people whose relationship with a significant other is not legally recognized.
Questions about civil status appear on
questionnaires for
quantitative research
Quantitative research is a research strategy that focuses on quantifying the collection and analysis of data. It is formed from a deductive approach where emphasis is placed on the testing of theory, shaped by empiricist and positivist philosop ...
, such as
census forms and
market research instruments. In a person's
medical history, civil status is considered to have both quantitative and
qualitative
Qualitative descriptions or distinctions are based on some quality or characteristic rather than on some quantity or measured value.
Qualitative may also refer to:
*Qualitative property, a property that can be observed but not measured numericall ...
significance. A
government records the civil status of its citizens by means of a
civil registration system. Historically, inquiries into marital status have appeared on
applications for employment,
loans, and
credit.
''Familial status'' indicates whether a person is the responsible
caregiver for a
child
A child ( : children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of ''child'' generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger ...
.
See also
References
External links
{{Authority control
Marriage
Vital statistics (government records)