A domestic partnership is an interpersonal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are not married. People in domestic partnerships receive benefits that guarantee right of survivorship, hospital visitation and others. It’s essential to register a domestic partnership so that the partners have the legal protections that married couples often take for granted.
To register for a domestic partnership, the couple must declare that their relationship constitutes a serious relationship at a courthouse or other designated government office. States vary on how this process should take place.
In Arizona, unmarried persons living in the City of Phoenix and participating in a domestic partnership who meet certain criteria can register for a Domestic Partnership. The registry is gender-neutral and applies to same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships. Two individuals seeking to become domestic partners must complete and file a declaration of domestic partnership in person with the City Clerk Department. Each applicant must provide a valid photo ID issued by a United States government agency that provides name, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color. There is a non-refundable administrative fee of $50 that must be paid at the time of application.
The sole benefit granted is the right to visitation with a domestic partner in any health care facility located within the city of Phoenix, notwithstanding any rights granted through other legal documents that may have been executed by the partners. The visitation rights are subject to any restrictions that apply to all visitors established by the health care facility.
In Tucson, Arizona, unmarried couples who share a relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment may document their relationship by registering in the Civil Union Registry. The language of the ordinance is gender-neutral and does not require registrants to live in Tucson. Any individuals who meet the qualifications may register a civil union. Registration may be done in person at the City Hall or by mail. However, each registrant must sign the registration form before a notary public. The of registering a civil union is $50.00.
The ordinance lists two rights or benefits for registered partners in the City of Tucson: (1) a right to visitation of one’s partner in a health care facility, as long as the patient consents; and (2) extending use of and access to city facilities to a registered civil union partner as if the civil union partner were a spouse.