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Domestic Partnership Registration and Benefits Information
The rights and responsibilities of domestic partnership in California changed dramatically as of January 1, 2005. AB 205 (The Domestic Partnership Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2003) is an important step towards equality for same-sex couples and families and provides relationship and family protections not previously available to same-sex couples in California. Visit the following links to learn more about AB 205.
Tax impact of new Domestic Partner law
Fact Sheet about Domestic Partner Registry
Secretary of State's Domestic
Partnership page
Registering as Domestic Partners is a simple and inexpensive process that guarantees same-sex couples important relationship recognition, responsibilities and legal rights. Although Domestic Partnership is in no way comparable to marriage, it provides protections that were previously not available to same-sex couples.
Partners who are not registered do not have legal recognition of their relationship and, therefore, can be denied certain important rights such as hospital visitation and decision making for incapacitated partners. The rights involved with Domestic Partnership were greatly expanded by the passing of AB 25 authored by Assemblymember Carole Migden. Click here to read the text of this bill. Laws regarding Domestic Partnerships are rapidly changing. To remain updated on the current Domestic Partnership rights and responsibilities please refer to this webpage often, or visit the Secretary of State's Domestic Partnerhip Registry page.
You may also visit this page to update your address with the Secretary of State's office or if you registered prior to March 25, 2003 and have not received a frameable certificate honoring your Domestic Partnership (this certificate is automatically sent to newly registered couples). For specific information on the rights and responsibilities involved in Domestic Partnership go to Lambda Legal. Or the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Some things you should know about Domestic Partnerships:
- Domestic Partnerships are only legal within the state
of California. Supplemental forms (such as powers of attorney) may be
useful and necessary as well. Click
here to learn more about relationship protection documents.
- AB 25 states that health insurance companies that offer spousal benefits must also offer partner benefits; however, this does not include individual employers. Each employer currently has the right to decide whether they will offer equal benefits to all employees.
To find companies that currently offer partner benefits or for information on how to persuade your employer to offer equal health benefits to all employees go to any of the following sites:
Name change information
If you, your partner or your family would like to legally change your
names, go to the California Court's info
page and download and complete the following forms:
Civil Case Cover Sheet
NC-100 Petition for Change of Name
NC-110 Attachment to Petition for Change of Name
NC-120 Order to Show Cause for Change of Name
NC-121 Proof of Service of Order to Show Cause
NC-130 Decree Changing Name
The first step is to go to your local Superior Court and
pick up a packet for change of name, unless you have already received
one with this information.
The packet should include copies of the following documents:
a. Petition For Change of Name(NC-100)
b. Attachment to Petition for Change of Name(NC-110)
c. Order to Show Cause For Change of Name(NC-120)
d. Proof of Service of Order to Show Cause(NC-121)
e. Decree Changing Name(NC-130)
f. Civil Case Cover Sheet Addendum
g. Criminal History Assessment form {age 11 and over}
You can find a document that will walk you through the process of changing
your name at www.thehotproject.org/name_change.htm
or contact Kristi Shaw at kshaw@thecentersd.org or 619.692.2077 ext. 206 for more information.
If you have questions regarding the procedure of registering
as Domestic Partners, or about the specific rights and responsibilities
involved, call The Center's Public Policy Department at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206 or e-mail kshaw@thecentersd.org.
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