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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Domestic Partners Registry Information


If you are in a committed lesbian or gay relationship in California, you can protect yourself and your partner by registering as domestic partners.
If you are in a committed opposite-sex relationship where one partner is 62 years or older, you have the opportunity to register as domestic partners.
It is important to register if you want your relationship to have legal standing.
While registration isn’t the same as marriage, it does secure many important rights and responsibilities.
Under current law, registration can protect your rights in times of family crisis, protect your children, and give you access to family benefits at work.

Eligibility:
•  Same-sex couples who are 18 or older
•  Opposite-sex couples who are 62 and older
•  Must not be related by blood in a way that would prevent being married to         each other in California
•  Must not be married or part of another domestic partnership
•  Must live together
•  Must accept responsibility for each other’s living expenses
It is indeed one of life’s finest experiences when a chance relationship grows into a permanent bond of love. This meeting and this growing are what brings couples together in a commitment ceremony.

We have a California Notary that can notarize your
Domestic Partnership Agreement
(and, yes we will supply the official agreement for you!)

My principle role as a wedding officiant/celebrant, is to celebrate and unify love between two persons, not genders. Although there are no legal benefits to a commitment ceremony, a commitment ceremony can transcend and bond your love in a more permanent nature in your hearts and the eyes of the community. I truly believe that same sex commitment ceremonies create a union that is a sign of hope in a somewhat intolerant society.

Once you have your notarized Declaration of Domestic Partnership, mail it along with the $10 filing fee to:
California Secretary of State
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, California 95814
OR
take the notarized declaration in person to any Secretary of State's offices in the State of California.
Differences Between Domestic Partner Registration and Legal Marriage
Domestice Partner Registration Legal Marriage
1.
 Simple, notarized form registration
1.
 License required
2.
 No ceremony
2.
 No ceremony required
3.

 Mailed to the Office of Vital Records
(handles business affairs)
3.

 License officiated by clergy, court,
or justice of the peace
4.
 Conveys some rights
4.
 Conveys hundreds of rights
5.
 Not a true next-of-kin
5.
 A true next-of-kin
6.
 Must cohabit
6.
 Can live apart
7.
 Must share finances
7.
 Not required to share finances
8.
 Ended by mailing a termination form
8.
 Divorce laws apply

Federal rights NOT Covered by Registration
  • Immigration Rights — Ability for a non-U.S. spouse to become a full citizen.
  • Social Security — Ability to collect benefits upon death of a spouse.
  • Federal Taxes — No joint filing. Pay taxes on job benefits.

I will be happy to meet with you to discuss your and your partner's vision of your commitment ceremony. Nothing will bring me more joy than to pronounce you partners in life, for life!


When the California registration first became law on January 1, 2000, it offered very limited benefits. It was expanded, on January 1, 2002, to include about a dozen benefits. It was again expanded on January 1, 2003 to include scores of benefits and responsibilities. The second expansion of the bill (AB-205) was filed by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles). A third expansion (SB-1827) ocured on September 30, 2006, which allowed registered domestic partners to jointly file state income taxes and have their earned income treated as community property for state tax purposes.

Under the expanded law, same-sex couples have many of the same state rights and responsibilities as legally married couples, including community property rights and obligations, child custody rights, the right to child support and alimony, extended family leave benefits and mutual responsibility for debts.

Please visit the official California Domestic Partners Resistry
or the ACLU for more information.
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