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In Sacramento, California, domestic partnerships are legally recognized and provide certain rights and responsibilities to unmarried couples. To register as domestic partners in Sacramento, the following requirements must be met:
Eligibility:
- Both partners must be at least 18 years of age and capable of consent.
- Neither partner can be legally married to someone else.
- Both partners must be of the same sex or opposite sex.
- Both partners must have resided together in Sacramento County for at least six months immediately before the date of registration.
Registration Process:
1. Obtain and Complete the Registration Form:
- The domestic partnership registration form can be obtained from the Sacramento County Recorder's Office or downloaded from their website.
- The form requires information about both partners, including their names, addresses, occupations, and dates of birth.
2. Prepare Supporting Documents:
- Proof of identity for both partners, such as valid driver's licenses or passports.
- Proof of residency in Sacramento County for at least six months, such as utility bills, lease agreements, or mortgage statements.
- A declaration stating that the partners are in an intimate and committed relationship and share a common household.
3. Sign the Registration Form:
- Both partners must sign the domestic partnership registration form in the presence of a notary public.
4. Submit the Application:
- The completed registration form, along with the required supporting documents, must be submitted to the Sacramento County Recorder's Office.
Registration Fee:
There is a non-refundable registration fee that must be paid when submitting the domestic partnership application. The current fee in Sacramento County is $35.
Legal Effects of Domestic Partnership:
Once registered, domestic partners in Sacramento are entitled to certain rights and benefits, including:
- The right to visit and make decisions for your domestic partner in the event of a medical emergency.
- The right to make end-of-life decisions for your domestic partner if he or she is incapacitated.
- Inheritance rights in the event of the death of a domestic partner.
- The right to sue for wrongful death of a domestic partner.
- The right to petition for a domestic partnership dissolution if the relationship ends.
It's important to note that domestic partnerships in California do not provide all the same legal rights and benefits as marriage. For example, domestic partners do not have the same protections under federal law as married couples. However, domestic partnership registration can provide significant legal protections and recognition to unmarried couples in Sacramento County.