Domestic Partnership

• How can I view Ordinance 2006-02?

  Download a copy Ordinance 2006-02.

• How do we amend or terminate our registration?

  Complete the "Amendment" or "Termination" forms and have them notarized.

  • Forms were included in your original Registration Packet.
  • Download the appropriate forms.

  
  

  Submit Your Forms

  By mail to:

  Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
  P.O. Box 4177
  West Palm Beach, FL 33402

  In Person to any Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller office location..

  Note: If you are terminating your registration, only one Registered Domestic Partner must sign the termination form with proof of mailing, or both can sign the form.

• How do we register as Domestic Partners?

  Complete and notarize the declaration form:

  • Obtain the "Declaration of Domestic Partnership" form online or at the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s main office in the Recording Department (Room 4.2500) or at any branch location.
  • Complete the form so it is legible and have it notarized.

  
  

  Include all of the required information:

  To establish mutual residence, you must provide a copy of one of the following:

  • Mortgage or lease showing both names
  • Driver’s licenses, government issued photo IDs or tax returns showing the same address for both parties

  
  

  To establish joint financial responsibility, you must provide a copy of two of the following:

  • Mortgage or lease showing both names
  • Statement of joint bank account for both partners
  • Vehicle title showing common ownership
  • Beneficiary designation form for a retirement plan or life insurance policy (signed and completed to the effect that one domestic partner is the beneficiary of the other)
  • Wills that designate the other as primary beneficiary
  • Current credit card statement with same account number for both names

  
  

  Submit the Declaration Form for Recording

  Mail the notarized form, the required fees and all required documentation to:

  Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller – Recording Department
  P.O. Box 4177
  West Palm Beach, FL 33402

  You may deliver the form in person to any branch location or to:

  Recording Department
  Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office
  205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500
  West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

• How much does it cost to register?

  Initial registration fee of $50.00 includes:

  • Recording of four-page "Declaration of Domestic Partnership" in the Official Record of Palm Beach County
  • One (1) "Certificate of Registration"
  • "Termination" and "Amendment" forms for subsequent use

  
  

  Other costs may include:

  • Notarization Fee of $10.00 for each signature notarized (If requested at time of recording)
  • Deputy Clerk signature - $3.50
  • Recording of "Amended Declaration of Domestic Partnership" - $20.00
  • Recording of "Termination of Domestic Partnership" - $20.00
  • Additional copy of "Certificate of Registration" - $5.00
  • Domestic Partnership Registration Certificate Wallet Cards (2 cards) - $5.35
  • Certified copy of "Declaration of Domestic Partnership"  - $6.00

  
  

• If my partner and I registered with the City of West Palm Beach Domestic Partnership Registry, do we need to register again with Palm Beach County?

  The Palm Beach County Ordinance 2006-02, Section 9, calls for reciprocity.

  If you were registered or legally established a partnership in another jurisdiction, County entities will recognize your partnership and extend the same rights to you as if you had registered in Palm Beach County.

  • You will not receive a Palm Beach County registration certificate or number unless you choose to register in the Palm Beach County registry.
  • However, you will be entitled to the same rights.

  
  

  If you are registered with the City of West Palm Beach, other entities in Palm Beach County (such as a hospital located in the County but outside of the City limits) should extend to you the same benefits as if you were registered with the County. Refer to City of West Palm Beach "Domestic Partnership Registry".

• Is Domestic Partnership Registration confidential?

  No. When an application for Domestic Partnership Registration is recorded by the Recording Department, it becomes public record and can be viewed by anyone, and any member of the public can purchase a copy of any public record.

• What is a Domestic Partnership?

  Individuals who:

  • Establish and maintain a significant personal, emotional and economic relationship with another individual.
  • Form domestic partnerships and live in a committed relationship.

  
  

• Where can I obtain forms?

  You may download the following forms online:

  • Declaration of Domestic Partnership
  • Amended Declaration of Domestic Partnership
  • Declaration of Termination of Domestic Partnership

  
  

  You may go in person to the Main Courthouse:

  Recording Department
  205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500
  West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

  You may go in person to any branch location.

• Where can we register?

  If you wish to register in person, go to any branch location or the Recording Department.

  Recording Department
  Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office
  205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500
  West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

• Who can be registered as Domestic Partners?

  • Each party is at least 18 years old and is competent to enter into a contract.
  • Neither party is married, or is a partner to another domestic partnership relationship.
  • Each party is the sole domestic partner of the other person.
  • Both parties consent to the domestic partnership relationship without force, duress or fraud.
  • Both parties agree to be jointly responsible for each other’s basic food, shelter, common necessities of life and welfare.
  • Neither party has been a member of another domestic partnership for the past year.
  • Each party shares his or her primary residence with the other party.
  • Each party considers himself/herself to be a member of the immediate family of the other partner.