General
Affidavit
Certificate
Certified
Copies of Domestic Partnership
Resources
General
When did Domestic Partnership take effect?
Domestic Partnership became effective on July 10, 2004.
How do I register my Domestic Partnership?
Applicants must obtain an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership. The
Affidavit must be completed and signed by both applicants at the same
time, in the presence of a notary. The applicants must appear together
to file with a Local Registrar of Vital Statistics and the required
fee of $28 remitted. Domestic Partnerships are not considered registered
until the Affidavit has been filed with the Local Registrar’s
Office and the Certificate of Domestic Partnership has been issued.
What documents do I need to bring with me to register my Domestic
Partnership?
Each applicant must supply valid identification that establishes name,
age, date of birth and proof of residency. This may be supplied by
one or more documents issued by a government agency, such as a certified
copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, military identification
or state/county identification card.
What other documents can I use to establish identity and residency
if I don’t have an automobile driver’s license?
A registration or operator’s license for any motorized vehicle
that must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission will be accepted.
Motorized vehicles include motorcycles, boats and motor homes, to name
a few. A passport or county issued ID will establish identity. A mortgage,
lease, tax records or utility bills will establish residency.
How much does it cost to register a Domestic Partnership?
The fee for registering a domestic partnership is $28.
What are the requirements for registering a Domestic Partnership?
Couples wishing to register a Domestic Partnership must be same sex
couples or opposite sex couples who are both
62 years of age or older. Couples must meet the following requirements:
- Share a common residence in New Jersey or any other jurisdiction
provided that at least one of the applicants is a member of a New
Jersey State-administered retirement system;
- Both persons are jointly responsible for each other’s common
welfare as evidenced by joint financial arrangements or joint ownership
of real or personal property;
- Both persons agree to be jointly responsible for each other’s
basic living expenses during the domestic partnership;
- Neither applicant is in a marriage recognized by New Jersey law
or a member of another domestic partnership;
- Neither person is related to the other by blood or affinity up
to and including the fourth degree of consanguinity;
- Both persons have chosen to share each other’s lives in a
committed relationship of mutual caring;
- Neither applicant has terminated another domestic partnership
within the last 180 days. (This prohibition shall not apply when
the previous partnership ended due to the death of the other partner).
What if I don’t live in New Jersey?
If the residence is outside the State of New Jersey, at least one
of the applicants must provide proof of membership in a New Jersey
State-administered retirement system by providing one of the following
documents issued by the Division of Pensions and Benefits:
- A Personal Benefits Statement from the current or previous year;
- a 1099R from the current or previous year or
- a Certificate of Pension Membership.
Is my Domestic Partnership recognized in other states?
Many states do not currently recognize domestic partnerships that
have been registered in New Jersey or may not have determined if they
will recognize the partnership. You must contact the state in question
to obtain accurate information.
What is consanguinity?
Consanguinity is generally used to refer to someone related by blood.
Simply stated, individuals who are first cousins or more distantly
related meet the requirement of not being related to the fourth degree
of consanguinity.
How do I show proof of my registered Domestic Partnership?
To show proof of a Registered Domestic Partnership, you must obtain
a certified copy of the Certificate of Domestic Partnership. A certified
copy can be obtained from the Local Registrar of Vital Statistics where
the Partnership was registered or at the State Registrar’s Office
of Vital Statistics. To obtain the certificate, you must identify the
date and location of the filing for the Domestic Partnership, and provide
identification to establish yourself as one of the partners listed
on the document. Fees for certified copies vary by municipality.
Where are these documents filed?
The Local Registrar in the municipality in which you register your
Domestic Partnership will retain a copy of both the Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership and the Certificate of Domestic Partnership. These documents
will also be retained at the State Bureau of Vital Statistics, Office
of the State Registrar.
How do I find the Local Registrar?
A listing of the current Local Registrars, their phone numbers and
address can be found by accessing the following webpage www.state.nj.us/health/vital/regbycnty.shtml
What if I want to end my Domestic Partnership?
In order to end a Domestic Partnership, you must file a request for
termination with the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey. Following
termination, you are responsible for notifying any entity that you
had originally notified when you entered into the Domestic Partnership.
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Affidavit
Where do I go to get an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership?
The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be obtained from a Local
Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality throughout the State
of New Jersey. The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership does not have
to be obtained (or filed) in the municipality in which the domestic
partners reside. A list of Local Registrars is available by accessing
the Department of Health and Senior Services website at www.state.nj.us/health/vital/regbycnty.shtml Where do I file my Affidavit of Domestic Partnership?
The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be filed and registered
with the Local Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality
in the State of New Jersey. The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership
does not have to be filed or registered in the municipality in which
the domestic partners reside.
Who can notarize the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership?
A notary public or an attorney can notarize the Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership. Many Local Registrars’ offices have a notary public
on staff, and in these offices, you can obtain the Affidavit and
have it notarized and filed all in one stop. If the Local Registrar’s
office does not have a notary on staff, you must take the Affidavit
elsewhere to be notarized and then file it with a Local Registrar.
Do we both have to be there together to have the Affidavit
notarized?
Yes, the Affidavit and the law are designed so that the couple must
appear before the notary together to attest to the items on the Affidavit
and then sign together.
Do we both have to be there to file the Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership?
Yes, both partners must sign the Certificate of Domestic Partnership
that is created once the Affidavit has been filed with the Local
Registrar. Your signature on the Certificate of Domestic Partnership
indicates you have received copies of the Affidavit and Certificate
of Domestic Partnership as well as the Notice of Rights and Obligations,
as required by law.
Does a female have to use her maiden name if she was previously
married and kept her married name?
No, unlike marriage there is no requirement that the female register
under her maiden name. She may choose to register under her maiden
name or her current legal name.
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Certificate
What is a Certificate of Domestic Partnership?
A Certificate of Domestic Partnership is the document that is prepared
by the Local Registrar after you have filed your signed and notarized
Affidavit of Domestic Partnership. Each partner is presented with
an informational copy of t he Certificate at the time it is prepared.
This informational copy is only issued as your receipt that your
Domestic Partnership has been registered; it serves no legal purpose.
Each partner will also receive a copy of the Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership and a copy of the Notice of Rights and Obligations for
Domestic Partners.
How long after we file the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership
do we have to wait to get the Certificate of Domestic Partnership?
The Certificate of Domestic Partnership is to be completed immediately
upon the filing of the signed and notarized Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership.
What should we bring with us when we file the Affidavit
of Domestic Partnership?
- Each applicant must supply valid identification that establishes
name, age and date of birth. This may be supplied by one or more
documents issued by a government agency, such as a certified copy
of a birth certificate, driver’s license, military identification
or state/county identification card.
- Applicants must bring with them proof of their residence. If
the residence is outside the State of New Jersey, at least one
of the applicants must provide proof of membership in a New Jersey
State-administered Retirement System by providing one of the following
documents issued by the Division of Pensions and Benefits:
a Personal Benefits Statement from the previous year;
a 1099R from the previous year, or
a Certificate of Pension Membership.
- Applicants must provide proof of a joint financial responsibility,
evidenced by at least one of the following documents:
a. Joint deed, mortgage agreement or lease;
b. Joint bank account;
c. Designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other
person’s will;
d. Designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other
person’s insurance policy or retirement plan; or:
e. Joint ownership of a motor vehicle.
- Payment in the amount of $28.00.
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Certified copies of Domestic Partnership
Where do I obtain a certified copy of my Domestic Partnership?
A certified copy of the Certificate of Domestic Partnership can
be obtained from the Local Registrar’s office where the partnership
was registered or from the State Bureau of
Vital Statistics and Registration.
What is the cost for a certified copy of my Domestic Partnership?
The State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration
charges $25 for the first copy and $2 for each additional
copy ordered at the same time. The fees for certified copies from
the Local Registrar’s office are set by local ordinance and
therefore vary greatly.
Who can get a certified copy of my Domestic Partnership?
The two individuals who registered the domestic partnership, their
immediate family or legal representative.
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Resources
For information relating to Pensions or Health Benefits please access
their website at http://www/state/nj/us/treasury/pensions and
click on the link for Domestic Partnership or (609) 292-7524.
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