Recognition of same-sex unions in Cambodia

Notes

^ ^a ^b Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
^ Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
^ Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.
^ ^a ^b Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
^ Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.
^ A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding.
^ Guardianship agreements, conferring some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care.
^ Inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
^ Courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
^ Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.
^ Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights.
^ Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.

^ ^a ^b Not yet in effect.

Cambodia does not recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions, but does recognize a registry program known as the "declaration of family relationship" offering limited legal rights to same-sex couples. As of June 2021, the registry has been introduced to 68 communes. Same-sex marriage has received support from King Norodom Sihamoni and his late father, King Norodom Sihanouk.^[1]^[2]

The Constitution of Cambodia defines marriage as the union of "one husband and one wife". In 2023, the government suggested it would look into legalising same-sex marriage.^[3]

^ Soksreinith, Ten (1 March 2016). "LGBT Campaigner Calls for Legal Protections". VOA Khmer News.
^ Pamm, Molyny (21 March 2017). "Cambodian LGBT Comes Out of the Shadows". Voice of America. Phnom Penh.
^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).