Domestic Partnership Requirements in Asheville, North Carolina

North Carolina does not recognize domestic partnerships at the state level — including in Asheville (Buncombe County).

Current Legal Status

• Same-sex marriage: Legal statewide since Obergefell v. Hodges (June 26, 2015) — US Supreme Court struck down NC's Amendment One (2012) ban.
• Domestic partnership registries: Some NC cities/counties (e.g., Durham, Orange County, Carrboro) offer symbolic registries for unmarried couples (same/opposite sex) — but these confer no legal rights (healthcare, inheritance, taxes, property).
• Asheville/Buncombe County: No domestic partnership registry exists.

Options for Unmarried Couples

• Marriage – Full legal protections.
• Legal agreements: Cohabitation agreement, healthcare power of attorney, durable power of attorney, wills, beneficiary designations — drafted by an NC family lawyer.
• Employer benefits: Some private employers (e.g., Mission Health, UNC system) offer domestic partner benefits voluntarily — check HR.

For legal protection, marriage or customized legal docs are the only reliable paths in NC.