Domestic partnership in Washington (state)

Legal status of same-sex unions
Marriage
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Recognized

  1. When performed in Mexican states that have legalized same-sex marriage
  2. When performed in the Netherlands proper
  3. Marriages performed in some municipalities and recognized by the state

* Not yet in effect

LGBT portal

State Registered Domestic Partnerships (SRDP) in Washington were created in 2007 following the Andersen v. King County decision. Subsequent legislation has made an SRDP the equivalent of marriage under state law. As a result of the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state, from June 30, 2014, SRDP will be available only when at least one of the partners is sixty-two years of age or older.[1]

History of Washington Domestic Partnerships

Beginnings

In its Andersen v. King County decision,[2] the Washington Supreme Court noted the Legislature was free to revisit any law it had previously enacted. Lacking sufficient votes to change the marriage laws, the Legislature worked to pass a domestic partnership law.[3] After much debate, lawmakers approved a bill on April 10, 2007.[4] conferring eleven of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples (when at least one of the individuals is over the age of 62). Governor Christine Gregoire signed the bill April 21, 2007,[5] and the law took effect on July 22, 2007.

The first partnerships were registered July 23, 2007, the first business day after the law’s effective date. More than 100 couples registered on the first day — some showing up as early as 4 a.m.[6]

Expansion

Similar to California’s incremental approach with its domestic partnership laws, the Washington Legislature has expanded the scope of partnerships. On March 4, 2008, lawmakers approved adding over 170 rights and responsibilities to domestic partnerships.[7] The bill was signed by Governor Gregoire on March 12, 2008.[8] Washington domestic partners do not need to re-register to take advantage of the new benefits. Because of the significant changes in 2008, the Secretary of State’s office mailed a letter to the last known address of each SRDP informing them of the changes. The new law became effective on June 12, 2008.

Lawmakers backing the domestic partnership legislation have been open in stating that their ultimate intent is to expand marriage laws to include same-sex couples and that they see the creation and expansion of domestic partnerships as steps toward that goal.[9] To that end, civil marriage equality bills have been introduced to encourage discussion.[10][11]

2009

“Everything but marriage”

Again like California, lawmakers continued to extend the rights and responsibilities of domestic partners. Legislation introduced on January 28, 2009 intended to provide “everything but marriage” to domestic partners.[12] Senate Bill 5688[13] would amend many state laws and place domestic partnership on an equal footing with civil marriage.[14] Despite the attempts to provide equal benefits to domestic partners, the law does not change Washington’s restriction against same-sex marriages.[15]

“Although we view this as an improvement that provides real and concrete protections to same-sex partners, it’s an inadequate substitute for marriage,” said Representative Jamie Pedersen, the House sponsor of the bill.[16]

The legislation cleared the Senate on March 10, 2009 and the House on April 15, 2009. Governor Gregoire signed it into law on May 18, 2009.[17]

Referendum 71

The legislation was meant to come into force on July 26, 2009, but Referendum 71 was filed seeking to overturn the expansion. At the last possible moment, opponents submitted enough signatures to postpone the law and force a popular vote on the new law.[18]

Groups such as Equal Rights Washington and Washington Families Standing Together urged voters to uphold the law providing for domestic partnerships, while Protect Marriage Washington was the main group in opposition.

Washington’s voters approved the law 53.15% to 46.85%[19]  — this marked the first time in the United States that voters had approved a statewide ballot measure that extended LGBT relationship rights.[20] The law went into effect the day the election was certified, December 3, 2009.[21]

2012

Senate Bill 6239 was introduced on January 16, 2012, and amended RCW 26 "Domestic relations."[22] In addition to legalizing same-sex marriage this modifies RCW 26.60 "State registered domestic partnerships" to convert any undissolved same-sex domestic partnership that does not involve at least one member aged 62 years or older into a marriage on June 30, 2014.[23] SB 6239 passed the Senate by a vote of 28-21 on February 1, 2012. HB 2516 passed the House of Representatives on February 8 by a vote of 55-43.[24] Governor Christine Gregoire signed the engrossed bill into law on February 13.[25] The law was scheduled to take effect in June 2012, but was challenged by Referendum 74. Voters approved that referendum legalizing same-sex marriage on November 6, 2012. The law also provides that Washington's registered domestic partnerships will convert automatically to marriages on June 30, 2014, if not dissolved before that date.[26]

Rights and responsibilities

Original laws

After 2008’s expanded domestic partnership law took effect, some of the domestic partner’s benefits and responsibilities include:[27]

Post-Referendum 71

Under state law, domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses. Some of the more notable changes include:

Registration

Domestic partnerships are issued by the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division in Olympia. Couples can register in person or by mail. Couples wishing to enter into an SRDP are required to fill out an application,[28] have it notarized, and pay the filing fee. Once the application is received, the Secretary of State’s office will issue a certificate and a wallet card for each individual.

Registrations are public records — information can be searched on the Secretary of State’s domestic partnership page.[29]

Because an SRDP may be less familiar than marriage to some, the wallet cards or online verification can be used to prove a partner’s relationship, especially during an emergency.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "26.60.030 Requirements". Apps.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  2. ↑ "Andersen v. King County at Google Scholar". |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  3. ↑ Garber, Andrew (March 1, 2007). "Domestic partnership bill passes state Senate". Seattle Times. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  4. ↑ "SB 5336". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation Giving Legal Rights to Domestic Partners". Office of the Governor. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  6. ↑ Garber, Andrew (July 24, 2007). "Gay partners make it official". Seattle Times. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  7. ↑ "HB 3104". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Gov. Gregoire signs bill extending domestic partnership rights". Office of the Governor. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  9. ↑ La Corte, Rachel (March 12, 2008). "Gregoire signs law expanding domestic partner benefits". Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  10. ↑ "HB 1350". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  11. ↑ "HB 1745". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  12. ↑ La Corte, Rachel (January 28, 2009). "Lawmakers announce "everything but marriage" bill". Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  13. ↑ "SB 5688". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  14. ↑ Fairbanks, Madelyn (January 28, 2009). "Work on gay rights just getting started". Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Rcw 26.04.010". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  16. ↑ 365gay Newscenter Staff. "Wash. mulls major expansion of gay partner law". Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Gov. Gregoire signs legislation to expand rights to domestic partners". Office of the Governor. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  18. ↑ La Corte, Rachel (August 31, 2009). "Gay partnership referendum makes ballot". Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  19. ↑ "November 3, 2009 General Election". Secretary of State. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  20. ↑ La Corte, Rachel. "Voters approve 'everything but marriage' bill". Associated Press. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  21. ↑ Ammons, David. "R-71: Effective 12-3-09". From Our Corner. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  22. ↑ Senators Murray, Pflug, Hobbs, Litzow, Kohl-Welles, Ranker, Tom, Harper, Pridemore, Keiser, Kline, Regala, Eide, Rolfes, McAuliffe, Brown, Nelson, Chase, Fraser, Frockt, Conway, Kilmer, and Prentice; by request of Governor Gregoire (January 16, 2012). "Senate Bill 6239" (PDF). State of Washington 62nd Legislature 2012 Regular Session. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  23. ↑ "http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.60&full=true#26.60.100". RCW 26.60.100 Application for marriage — Dissolution of partnership by marriage — Automatic merger of partnership into marriage — Legal date of marriage. (Effective if Referendum 74 is approved at the November 2012 general election.). Washington State Legislature. February 13, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012. External link in |title= (help)
  24. ↑ "Washington state legislature votes to approve same-sex marriage". CNN. February 8, 2012.
  25. ↑ Turnbull, Lornet (February 13, 2012). "Gregoire signs gay marriage into law". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  26. ↑ Turnbull, Lornet (February 16, 2014). "State to same-sex domestic partners: You're about to be married". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  27. ↑ "A summary of 2008 changes to state laws regarding domestic partnerships" (PDF). Secretary of State. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Domestic Partnership declaration" (PDF). Secretary of State. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Domestic Partnerships". Secretary of State. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
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