Domestic Partnership Information

 

·         What is domestic partnership?

·         Who can be registered domestic partners?

·         Is domestic partnership registration confidential?

·         How do we register as domestic partners?

·         How much does it cost to register?

·         Where can we register?

·         Where can we obtain forms?

·         How do we amend or terminate our registration?

·         How can I view Ordinance 2006-02?

 

 

WHAT IS DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP?

 

The Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County, Florida finds that there are many individuals who establish and maintain a significant personal, emotional and economic relationship with another individual. Individuals forming such domestic partnerships often live in a committed relationship. Domestic partners are often denied certain benefits and rights because there is no established system for such relationships to be registered or recognized.

 

It is in the best interest of Palm Beach County to be responsive to the changing needs of society and to treat all persons fairly and equitably. Palm Beach County recognizes that long-term committed relationships foster economic stability and emotional and psychological bonds.

 

 

WHO CAN BE REGISTERED DOMESTIC PARTNERS?

 

Parties must be residents of Palm Beach County. Under the definition provided by the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County, Florida, Ordinance 2006-002, Domestic Partners must meet the following requirements:

 

1.            Each party is at least 18 years old and competent to contract;

 

2.            Neither party is married, nor a partner to another domestic partnership relationship;

 

3.            Each party is the sole domestic partner of the other person;

 

4.            Each party is not related to the other by blood;

 

5.            Both parties consent to the domestic partnership relationship without force, duress or fraud;

 

6.            Both parties agree to be jointly responsible for each other’s basic food, shelter, common necessities of life and welfare;

 

7.            Neither party has been a member of another domestic partnership for the past year;

 

8.            Each party shares his or her primary residence with the other

 

9.            Each party considers himself/herself to be a member of the immediate family of the other partner.

 

 

IS DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRATION CONFIDENTIAL?

 

No, when an application for Domestic Partnership Registration is recorded with Palm Beach County Recording Department, it becomes public record and can be viewed by anyone.  Any member of the public can purchase a copy of any public record.

 

 

HOW DO WE REGISTER AS DOMESTIC PARTNERS?

 

1.            Download a Domestic Partnership Declaration form or obtain one from the Clerk & Comptroller’s Recording Department at 205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.25, West Palm Beach, Florida, or one of our branch locations.

         

2.            Complete the form, legibly.  Both partners must sign the application in the presence of a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk if bringing the form in person.

 

3.            Mail the notarized form along with the necessary documentation to Clerk & Comptroller, P.O. Box 4177, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33402. You may also deliver it in person to the Clerk & Comptroller’s Recording Department at 205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.25, West Palm Beach, Florida, or one of our branch locations.

 

4.       To record the Domestic Partnership Declaration with the Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, you must be subject to provisions set forth in Ordinance No. 2006-002, signed and dated by the Clerk & Comptroller and Palm Beach County, Florida, by its Board of County Commissioners.

 

5.           For establishing mutual residence, you must provide a copy of one of the following: mortgage or lease showing both names or driver’s licenses, passports or tax returns showing the same address for both partners for verification.

 

6.            For establishing joint financial responsibility, you must provide a copy of two of the following: mortgage or lease showing both names, statement from joint bank account for both partners, vehicle title showing common ownership, beneficiary designation form for a retirement plan or life insurance policy signed and completed to the effect that one domestic partner is the beneficiary of the other, or wills which designate the other as primary beneficiary.

 

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REGISTER?

 

The initial cost for registration is $50.00. This fee includes:

 

 

If notarization is requested at the time of recording, there will be an additional fee of $3.00 for each signature notarized.

 

Subsequent costs may include:

 

 

 

WHERE CAN WE REGISTER?

 

If you wish to register in person, you may visit the Clerk & Comptroller’s Recording Department at 205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.25, West Palm Beach, Florida, or one of our branch locations.

 

 

WHERE CAN WE OBTAIN FORMS?

 

Forms are available for download in PDF format by clicking on one of the following:

 

 

·         Declaration of Domestic Partnership

·         Amended Declaration of Domestic Partnership

·         Declaration of Termination of Domestic Partnership

 

Forms may also be obtained from the Clerk & Comptroller’s Recording Department at 205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.25, West Palm Beach, Florida, or one of our branch locations.

 

 

HOW DO WE AMEND OR TERMINATE OUR REGISTRATION?

 

1.            Download the appropriate forms or check your original registration packet. Amendment and termination forms are included in the original registration packets provided to you at the time of your initial registration.

 

2.            Take your notarized form to Clerk & Comptroller, 205 North Dixie

Highway, Room 4.25, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401, or to one of our branch locations. Or, mail to Clerk & Comptroller, P.O. Box 4177, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33402.

 

3.            When terminating the registration, it will be necessary to provide the Clerk & Comptroller with a copy of the Certified or Registered mailing as proof of service, which may be signed by only one of the registered Domestic Partners.

 

How can I view Ordinance 2006-02?

 

Download a copy here of Ordinance 2006-02.

 

IF MY PARTNER AND I REGISTERED WITH THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY, DO WE NEED TO REGISTER AGAIN?

Section 9 of the Palm Beach County Ordinance calls for reciprocity. All rights, privileges and benefits extended to Registered Domestic Partnerships registered pursuant to this Ordinance are also extended to all persons legally partnered in another jurisdiction.

Thus, if you were registered or otherwise legally established a partnership in another jurisdiction, county entities will recognize your partnership and extend the same rights to you as if you had registered in Palm Beach County. You will not receive a Palm Beach County registration certificate or number unless you choose to register in the Palm Beach County registry.

If you are registered with the City of West Palm Beach, other entities in Palm Beach County, such as a hospital located in the County, but outside the City limits, should extend to you the same benefits as if you were registered with the County. This does not mean you will automatically be included in the County's registry, but you would be entitled to the same rights. 

 

For information on the City of West Palm Beach Domestic Partnership Registry, click here: http://cityofwpb.com/domestic/