Pre-filing of domestic partnership papers opens next week

Secretary of State Ross Miller says his office will begin allowing couples to pre-file paperwork registering themselves as domestic partners on Monday.

He said that will allow his office to issue their state certificate October 1, the day the law takes effect.

The legislation giving couples legal and other rights if they register as domestic partners was approved by the 2009 Legislature. It provides a type of civil contract for both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

"I am very pleased with the progress our state has made in recognizing that certain protections must be made available to those who cannot or choose not to be married," said Miller.

He said his office will work to make the process special for those who file but added that pre-filing the forms is for the benefit of his office as well since he expects a large number of people to seek registration October 1.

"I'm scared we're going to have a ton of people sitting outside the office on the first," he said.

He said the goal is to get as many as possible pre-registered so they can actually get their certificate October 1. If he waits until that date, he said the backlog would prevent giving everyone who registers their certificate that same day.

In order to get the certificate, each couple must declare they aren't married or a member of another domestic partnership, not related in a way that would prevent them from being married, are at least 18 and competent to consent to the partnership.

They must also declare they share a common residence and "have chosen to share one another's lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring."

Miller said there is a $50 fee attached to the process and a ceremonial certificate suitable for framing is available for another $15. The fees, he said, are necessary because his office took on the responsibility for developing the program without any added funding from the state.