Everything about Domestic Partnership In Washington totally explained
On
April 10,
2007, the Washington Legislature gave final approval to legislation that created a state registered domestic partners (SRDP) registry. This legislation conferred eleven of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples, as well as opposite-sex couples when at least one of the individuals is age 62 or older. The bill
S5336
was signed by Governor
Christine Gregoire on
April 21,
2007, and took effect on
July 22,
2007.
The law however, doesn't legalize same-sex marriage or civil unions. In fact, SRDP legislation came into being after the
Washington Supreme Court ruled that the state's existing "Defense of Marriage" act was constitutional, but it said the legislature can revisit a law that they'd enacted. Gay rights groups have seen SRDP as a step forward in their fight for same-sex marriage, while religious groups oppose it for that very same reason.
Benefits
Washington state registered domestic partners originally received these benefits under state law:
- Health care facility visitation rights;
- The ability to grant informed consent for health care for a patient who isn't competent;
- The ability to be able to speak with health care providers who will now be able to disclose information about the other partner without that partner's authorization;
- A surviving domestic partner may bring a wrongful death action based on the death of the other partner;
- Title and rights to cemetery plots and rights of internment;
- The ability to authorize autopsies and request copies of autopsy reports and records;
- The right to control the disposition of the remains of a deceased partner;
- The ability to consent to the removal of human remains from a cemetery plot;
- The ability to make anatomical gifts;
- Inheritance rights when the domestic partner dies without a will; and
- Administration of an estate if the domestic partner died without a will or if the representative named in the will declines or is unable to serve.
During the 2008 session, Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law a Domestic Partnership Expansion bill that provided 160 new rights and responsibilities to registered domestic partners.
Obtaining the SRDP certificate
The
Corporations division of the Secretary of State began issuing registrations on Monday,
July 23,
2007, the first business day after the law took effect.
Couples wishing to enter into a SRDP are required to fill out the
application, have it notarized, and pay a $50 fee. Although the forms are available at county auditor's offices, unlike marriage licenses they're processed in
Olympia, the state capital. The printed form can be mailed or taken in person to the corporations division in Olympia, and online registrations are expected soon. Once the application is received, the office will issue a certificate of SRDP and a wallet card for each individual.
Further Information
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