New Jersey Domestic Partnership: Not Recognized in the UK

No. A same-sex domestic partnership from New Jersey (established under the Domestic Partnership Act 2004, expanded 2007) is not recognized as a civil partnership or marriage in the United Kingdom.

Why Not?

• UK law only recognizes overseas relationships that are legally equivalent to UK civil partnership or marriage — i.e., formal, registered, with near-identical rights/obligations.
• NJ domestic partnership provides limited state-level benefits (health, pension, inheritance for public employees; some hospital visitation). It is not a comprehensive legal status like UK civil partnership (which mirrors marriage).
• The UK's Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Schedule 20) lists recognized overseas relationships — New Jersey domestic partnership is not on it.

Contrast: NJ Civil Union (2007–2013)

New Jersey's civil union (available 2007–2013, before marriage equality) was recognized as a UK civil partnership. But domestic partnership — never.

What to Do

If you need UK recognition: marry (in NJ, D.C., or any jurisdiction with marriage equality). That marriage will be recognized in the UK (see previous answer).