{"id":375988,"date":"2018-04-12T16:24:31","date_gmt":"2018-04-12T21:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-domestic-partnership-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-04-13T00:32:07","modified_gmt":"2018-04-13T05:32:07","slug":"pennsylvania-domestic-partnership-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-domestic-partnership-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Domestic Partnership Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania 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 legally recognized unions of two individuals in a relationship who live together but are not married. Domestic partnerships<\/a> grant some of the same rights to partners that are available to married couples, such as time off to care for a partner under the Family Medical Leave Act and hospital visitation rights. Prior to the legalization of same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships<\/a> were often an attractive option for same-sex couples to enjoy legal benefits from their committed relationship despite the inability to marry. But some couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, still use these unions today for financial, legal, or personal reasons.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania has not recognized domestic partnerships at a statewide level. However, the City of Philadelphia has carved out an exemption for persons in a same-sex domestic partnership with "exempt employees" of the City Government. Domestic partners qualifying under this exception are entitled to the same benefits as spouses for health and leave purposes. Additionally, domestic partner health benefits may not be personal income for tax purposes in some cases.<\/p>\r\n

Domestic Partnerships in General<\/h2>\r\n

Not all states offer this arrangement and qualifications for domestic partnerships vary, although some cities and counties may offer this option even if their state doesn't provide it (as is the case with Pennsylvania and Philadelphia). Couples seeking to create a domestic partnership must meet qualifications like those for marriages. They must also complete forms and register at a courthouse or other designated office in the same way as individuals seeking a marriage license.<\/p>\r\n

Cohabitation Agreements: Another Option<\/h2>\r\n

In states that do not recognize domestic partnerships, cohabitation agreements<\/a> may provide a similar alternative to a traditional marriage relationship. Cohabitation agreements are legal documents in which unmarried cohabitants can grant certain rights to each other like those granted to married people. These agreements also serve the purposes of:<\/p>\r\n