A couple’s factual relationship may be considered to constitute a family. Couples who do not wish or cannot marry can register their partnership to enjoy more protection and benefits under law.
Registered partnership
Two adults of whom at least one has residence in Estonia may register their partnership at a notary. The right to register partnership is equal to same sex and opposite sex couples.
The obligations and rights of registered partners with respect to each other and third parties are more restricted than in the case of marriage. Registered partners are required to support and maintain each other during their partnership. They have equal rights and duties with respect to each other.
The parties to a registered partnership contract can agree on an arrangement of relations between the child(ren) of one party and the other registered partner. A registered partner may submit an application for adoption to a court. A registered partner may adopt a biological child of the other registered partner or a child who was adopted by the other registered partner before the parties entered into their registered partnership contract. The law provides for an option to adopt also in other situations to prevent extreme unfairness.
Right to marry
Human rights such as the right to marry or the right to a private life do not oblige a State to provide same-sex couples with access to marriage the same way as for opposite-sex couples. In Estonia, same-sex couples can marry from 2024.