Legal Definitions - domestic partnership

A domestic partnership is a relationship between two people who live together as a couple for a significant period of time. This relationship can be between two people of the same sex or opposite sex. It is not a marriage, but it is recognized by some employers and governmental entities as equivalent to marriage for the purpose of extending employee-partner benefits that are usually reserved for spouses of employees.

• John and Jane have been living together for five years. They consider themselves to be in a domestic partnership.
• Tom and Mike have been together for ten years and have a domestic partnership. Tom's employer offers health insurance benefits to domestic partners, so Mike is covered under the plan.

The examples illustrate that a domestic partnership is a committed relationship between two people who live together for a significant period of time. It is not a marriage, but it can provide some of the same benefits as marriage, such as access to health insurance. Domestic partnerships are recognized by some employers and governmental entities, but not all.