Before the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, same-sex couples could only get married in certain states. Domestic partnerships were an alternative in some states, providing some of the benefits that opposite-sex couples could obtain via marriage. Since 2015, same-sex marriage has been legal in every state and same-sex partners no longer have to rely on domestic partnerships. However, domestic partnerships are still available in some areas and domestic partnership health benefits are offered by some employers. The requirements to register or swear an affidavit of a domestic partnership differ by area and by employer. For example, you may need to be a government employee, or you may need to be at least 62 years old. (Some areas allow older individuals to avoid losing access to Social Security benefits under a former spouse’s record, which could happen if they remarried.)[efn_note]“Domestic Partnership Rights by State” Legal Match. Accessed June 3, 2024[/efn_note] But if domestic partnership benefits are available, they’re available on the same terms to same-sex and opposite-sex couples, just like marriage.[efn_note]“The Differences Between Domestic Partnership And Marriage” Hello Prenup. May 3, 2023[/efn_note]