Greetings,

On Monday, July 23, 2007, same-sex couples and different-sex couples in which at least one partner is over the age of 62 can register as domestic partners with the State of Washington. The enactment of this historic legislation will provide emergency protection—about a dozen of the 1400 rights that civil marriage affords—for many families and couples, including hospital visitation and inheritance rights. We are pleased that the legislature passed the domestic partner bill and believe that it is a step in the right direction, but ERW will continue to work with the legislature, activists, allies, and the citizens of Washington until full marriage equality is realized.

Secretary of State Sam Reed and his staff have been very supportive of this new legislation and we are very grateful for their outstanding services and accommodation. In order to make registration a great experience for everyone, here is some information about how to register and what to expect if you plan to register in-person in Olympia on Monday. As with the implementation of any new program, there may be some small “hitches” and possibly some delays, so please be patient.

click here for full registration information