Domestic Registry

Unmarried couples in Flagstaff will soon be able to register as domestic partners.

By Krista Houstoun

Flagstaff City Hall

Flagstaff prepares to start domestic partner registry

Unmarried couples in Flagstaff will be able to register as domestic partners after the City Council in the northern Arizona city approved a domestic partner registry.

The ordinance, approved in December, allows unmarried adult couples to file paperwork with the city stating their commitment. The ordinance is similar to registries in Phoenix and Tucson.

"In large part, this partnership registry gives credence to same-sex unions that already exist in our city," said Kathryn Jim, president of Northern Arizona Pride Association. "It is a welcomed act that is part of a much larger LGBT civil rights movement in the U.S."

The partner registry can be used to demonstrate a domestic partnership to government agencies, employers, businesses and other third parties. It can be used to sign up for insurance, get hospital visitation rights and other benefits enjoyed by married couples.

A provision in the ordinance acknowledges domestic partner registries already adopted in other cities.

To be included on the domestic partnership registry, registrants must meet certain criteria, such as sharing a primary residence, being in a committed relationship and sharing responsibility for each other's common welfare.

Eligible Flagstaff residents can file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the City Clerk's Office to be listed in the registry. There is a $50 filing fee.

The registry reportedly has little impact on city of Flagstaff employees, who gained domestic partner benefits in 2009.

But Jim said that the move indicates progress. "I have lived here for over 13 years now, and in those 13 years I have seen more progress, and more to come," Jim said.

Later this year, the council is expected to consider an anti-discrimination ordinance that extends protections for sexual orientation and gender identification in areas such as employment, public accommodation and housing.

A similar anti-discrimination ordinance was defeated by the council in 2009. "Still to this day, the LGBT community remembers the hate that radiated from the [2009] forum," Jim said. "You never forget. But, I have made a promise that it won't happen again, I won't allow it, nor will those who support this ordinance. Hopefully with full support of City Council, as we had with partnership registry, this will pass." -E