{"id":372220,"date":"2019-03-19T10:54:18","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T15:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-domestic-partnership-laws.html"},"modified":"2019-03-19T11:51:44","modified_gmt":"2019-03-19T16:51:44","slug":"district-of-columbia-domestic-partnership-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-domestic-partnership-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Domestic Partnership Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Domestic Partnership Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Domestic partnerships are recognized in Washington, D.C. Although same-sex marriage was legalized throughout the United States<\/a>, this doesn’t replace the District of Columbia’s domestic partnership laws. Couples (both same-sex and opposite-sex) have a choice as to whether they want to marry or enter into a domestic partnership.<\/p>\r\n

District of Columbia Domestic Partnership Laws Overview<\/h2>\r\n

While it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney in complex cases, a guide to the law written in plain language can provide a useful introduction to the relevant statutes. See the chart below for an overview of the domestic partnership laws in D.C.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

District of Columbia Code Division V. Local Business Affairs:<\/p>\r\n

Requirements and Registration for Domestic Partnerships<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Requirements for Domestic Partnership<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

Each partner shall:<\/p>\r\n

District Government Employee Benefits<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

A district government employee can be granted sick leave to care for a minor child of either domestic partner or to care for the employee’s domestic partner who is on maternity or paternity leave.<\/p>\r\n

A district government employee who’s adopting or whose domestic partner is adopting a child can be granted annual leave or leave without pay to make necessary family arrangements.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Termination of Domestic Partnership<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Methods of Termination<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

A domestic partnership may be terminated by the following methods:<\/p>\r\n