Many employers require workers to provide proof of common residency before they can take advantage of domestic partner benefits, according to the 1997 SHRM Domestic Partner Benefits Mini-Survey. Some employers, such as Coors, require both an affidavit and proof of joint residency. The brewer requires that an affidavit be signed by the employee and a Coors representative or notary. The affidavit states that the couple resides together and agrees that the company will be reimbursed for benefits costs if the relationship and the agreement are found to be invalid. Coors also asks for proof of joint residency in the form of rental agreements or mortgage documents, says Ellison.
Some companies use the time delay as a way of reducing costs and the opportunities for abuse.
For example, Tower Records requires employees seeking benefits coverage for domestic partners to wait 12 months before adding a new dependent to their policy. The company also requires proof of partnership and residence in the form of a joint checking account, lease or household bill, says Gromacki. Businesses concerned with getting and tracking the documents needed to prove that a relationship exists may soon be able to rely on formal registries that are, in effect, centralized lists of couples in committed relationships. Los Angeles County s newly developed registry, for example, requires partners to reside or work in the county and to check off 14 statements that define the relationship. Other jurisdictions nationwide and some states already have similar registries, or are considering creating them.