Registering as a domestic partner is simple. Registration forms can easily be obtained from the Los Angeles County clerk's office, the secretary of state's Web site , or from the secretary of state's office. As the author of this new law, I urge lesbian and gay couples throughout California to register as domestic partners. As of April 15, more than 5,000 Californians had already registered. It is my hope that all lesbian and gay couples take advantage of this important opportunity to have their relationship made valid in the eyes of the state of California.
Domestic partnerships affirm the validity, dignity, and legitimacy of families.
Legal recognition of these relationships provides security and stability to domestic partners and their children. Moreover, registration enables a domestic partner to extend specific benefits such as hospital visitation and health coverage to the other partner and his or her children. Most lesbian and gay couples already meet the requirements of a domestic partnership. According to the new law, domestic partners must share a common residence and agree to be jointly responsible for each other's basic living expenses during the existence of the domestic partnership. Same-sex domestic partners must be adults, unmarried, unrelated by blood, and over the age of 18.