1. You must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit.
2. You must be unmarried and not in a registered domestic partnership with someone else. You cannot be married to or in a domestic partnership with someone else at the same time.
3. You must be willing to share financial and other responsibilities with your partner. This means that you must be prepared to share income, expenses, and decision-making with your partner.
4. You must intend to live together indefinitely. This does not mean that you must live together 24/7, but it does mean that you must have a permanent and ongoing relationship with your partner.
5. You must not be related to your partner by blood or marriage. You cannot be related to your partner by blood (e.g., siblings) or by marriage (e.g., in-laws).
If you meet these requirements, you can file for a domestic partnership at the Alameda County Recorder's Office. You will need to fill out a Domestic Partnership Affidavit form and pay a filing fee of $10. You can find more information about domestic partnerships in Oakland on the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder website.