Couples are considered domestic partners in Washington state when they meet six conditions.
Washington state law grants domestic partners the same rights and responsibilities as married couples within the state. Couples must register with the Domestic Partner Registry administered by the Washington secretary of state in order to be legally recognized. To register, couples must meet six criterion.
Definition
Domestic partners in Washington State must both be more than 18 years of age, share a residence, be capable of consent, not be related by blood closer than second cousins, not be married or legally partnered with anyone else and either be of the same gender or over 62. If a couple meets these qualifications, they can register and be legally recognized as partners in Washington state.
Marriage
The definition of marriage in Washington state is "a civil contract between a male and a female..." To establish this civil contract, a couple must meet four requirements (both must be unmarried, more than18 years old with some exceptions, not be related by blood and be one male and one female). Shared residence is not required for heterosexual couples, but is for domestic partners.
Everything But Marriage
ESSSB 5668 became law on December 3, 2009. According to this law, registered domestic partners are to be treated as married couples under state law, as long as the treatment does not conflict with federal law. Federal law does not recognize domestic partnerships.
Rights and Responsibilities
The rights and responsibilities granted to registered domestic partners in the state of Washington include hospital visitation rights, decision-making rights, filing jointly on state tax returns, inheriting without a will, health benefits, adoption and guardianship rights and more.
Ending Domestic Partnerships
As of December 2009, partners must end their relationships through the courts in proceedings that are very similar to divorce proceedings. One partner must file a petition for dissolution with the court. The petition is served to the other partner, who must then respond in writing, stating his position on property, any children and support, after which proceedings may become complicated.
Tags: domestic partners, partners Washington, civil contract, December 2009, Domestic Partner
