In certain situations, couples may choose not to get married, but still want many of the same rights as married couples. In these situations, a domestic partnership can be considered as an alternative with many advantages. Generally, a domestic partnership is the term used to describe a civil union of two individuals who live together and share a common life, but are not married. The advantages provided to individuals in a domestic partnership are similar to a marriage, but there are still differences between the two. How Do I Register a Domestic Partnership?
Before couples can acquire the benefits of domestic partnership, they must submit a registration form at a local county marriage office. In Oregon, the partnership is immediately recognized after registration and fees are paid. However, couples will need to meet a list of criteria before registration can occur. For example, in Oregon, registration is only available to same-sex couples. However, heterosexual couples often reside together in a relationship akin to marriage, and create in informal domestic partnership which is recognized under Oregon case law.
How Does a Domestic Partnership Compare to Marriage?
A domestic partnership is has many of the same advantages as a marriage; including health insurance, tax benefits, potential death benefits, and more. Ultimately, marriage does have more benefits than domestic partnership, but one potential upside of a domestic partnership is that it may be easier to terminate than a marriage. However, not all states recognize domestic partnerships, and the benefits and status may not apply in these states. Marriage, on the other hand, is recognized in all 50 states and at the federal level as well.