How to File for a California Domestic Partnership
Determine whether you and your partner meet the basic requirements to qualify for domestic-partnership status., Complete the application process as set forth by the California Secretary of State's office. , Download the Declaration of Domestic...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine whether you and your partner meet the basic requirements to qualify for domestic-partnership status.
Certain conditions must be met before a couple can formally apply for California domestic partnership with the Secretary of State' office.
Requirements include:
Partners must be the same sex, or at least 1 person in an opposite-sex domestic partnership must be at least 62 years old at the time of filing.
Both people must be at least 18 years old.
The partners must have a common residence.
The primary residence doesn't have to be jointly owned.
One or both have own other homes, however.
Neither partner may be married to or in a concurrent domestic partnership with another person.
Partners cannot be related by blood.
Both people must be mentally capable of consenting to the partnership. -
Step 2: Complete the application process as set forth by the California Secretary of State's office.
,, Incomplete forms will delay approval of your status. ,, Applications also can be delivered in person at the main office in Sacramento or the regional branch in Los Angeles.
After you have filed your application, you will receive a Certificate of Registration of Domestic Partnership and an important brochure that outlines your rights with a domestic partnership. , -
Step 3: Download the Declaration of Domestic Partnership form (NP/SF DP-1) from the secretary of state's website at www.sos.ca.gov.
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Step 4: Print and fill out the application.
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Step 5: Have both partners' signatures notarized.
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Step 6: Send the notarized application to the secretary of state's office by mail with payment for the appropriate fee.
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Step 7: Pay the fees associated with your particular form of domestic partnership.
Detailed Guide
Certain conditions must be met before a couple can formally apply for California domestic partnership with the Secretary of State' office.
Requirements include:
Partners must be the same sex, or at least 1 person in an opposite-sex domestic partnership must be at least 62 years old at the time of filing.
Both people must be at least 18 years old.
The partners must have a common residence.
The primary residence doesn't have to be jointly owned.
One or both have own other homes, however.
Neither partner may be married to or in a concurrent domestic partnership with another person.
Partners cannot be related by blood.
Both people must be mentally capable of consenting to the partnership.
,, Incomplete forms will delay approval of your status. ,, Applications also can be delivered in person at the main office in Sacramento or the regional branch in Los Angeles.
After you have filed your application, you will receive a Certificate of Registration of Domestic Partnership and an important brochure that outlines your rights with a domestic partnership. ,
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