Couples wishing to obtain domestic partnerships must meet all of the following criteria:
Share a common residence,
Be at least 18 years of age,
Not be married to another person or in a domestic partnership with anyone else,
Be capable of consenting to the relationship,
Not be blood relations, and
Be either members of the same sex or if, in a heterosexual partnership, have one individual be at least 62 years of age.
Domestic partnerships are registered with the Secretary of State.
Domestic partnerships created at the local level are not automatically added to the state registry. Domestic partnerships created at the state level may be transferred to the local level with the couples’ consent, so long as all the local criteria for domestic partners are met.
Domestic partnerships, civil unions, or reciprocal beneficiary relationships registered in other states are recognized in Washington so long as all the Washington criteria for domestic partnership are met.
Domestic partners of state employees are qualified to receive benefits covered by the Public Employment Benefits Board.
Rights of spouses extended to domestic partners include:
Health Care
Visitation of a patient in a health-care facility.
Ability to give informed consent for health care for a patient who is not competent.
Disclosure by a health-care facility of health-care information about a patient without the patient’s authorization.
Death
Funeral arrangements.
Ability to consent to autopsies.
Authorization of organ and tissue donation.
Inheritance rights when there is no will.
Administration of an estate if the decedent died intestate or if the representative named in the will is unable to serve.
Provisions dealing with non-probate assets and power of attorney
Read the news on the Jan. 25th hearing in the Senate.
Equal Rights Washington (ERW) works to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Washingtonians.
