Interviewer instructions
For persons aged 12 and older
[Applies to questions 20-21]
Question 21: What is your current civil or marital status?
Take into account the civil or marital status of the respondent on Census Day.
If the respondent and his/her partner claim a different civil status, politely ask again in order to determine the correct civil status.
Example: If the respondent states that he/she divorced a long time ago and is currently cohabiting, then circle option 1, "Cohabiting."
[p. 59]
Cohabiting (de facto union). This is a person who lives with his/her partner without having married him/her in either a civil or religious ceremony.
Separated (from a marriage or co-habiting arrangement). This is a person who is separated from his/her partner and is not cohabiting or in a de facto relationship.
Married. This is a person who married in a civil and/or religious ceremony and is living with his/her partner.
Widowed (from marriage or cohabitation). This is a person who has not remarried after the death of his/her spouse, nor has this person entered into a de facto union or cohabitation.
Divorced. This is a person whose marriage bonds have been broken by a legal decree and who has not remarried and is not living in a de facto union or cohabiting.
Single. This is a person who has never married or lived in a de facto union or cohabitation.
