Unite Healthcare Domestic Partner Form: What You Need to Know

As of today, same-sex couples can marry in most jurisdictions in Texas, thanks to the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. However, despite this progress, domestic partnerships are still an important option for city workers and their partners who want to register with these cities as domestic partners.

To register as a domestic partner with a city, both parties must file an affidavit swearing that they meet the definition of domestic partner. This definition varies slightly from city to city in Texas, but generally refers to an individual who lives with the employee and shares common resources in a close, personal relationship.

For example, Austin defines domestic partner as 'the individual who lives in the same household and shares the common resources of life in a close, personal, intimate relationship with a City employee if, under Texas law, the individual would not be prevented from marrying the employee on account of age, consanguinity, or prior undissolved marriage to another.'

Several cities in Texas offer health insurance benefits to domestic partners of city workers, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio. However, with the legalization of same-sex marriage, the importance of domestic partnerships has decreased, as couples can now enjoy the same rights and benefits through marriage.

Despite this, some cities in Texas still recognize domestic partnerships as a way for employees to register their relationship and access certain benefits. To create a domestic partnership, two people must register their relationship at a governmental office, declaring that they are engaged in a committed relationship.

In years past, domestic partnerships were often used by the LGBTQ community as an alternative to marriage in places where same-sex marriage was not permitted. However, with the 2015 Supreme Court ruling, same-sex marriage is now legal in Texas and many other states. Nevertheless, for those who want to register their relationship with a city, understanding what it means to be a domestic partner can still be an important step.

For more information on registering as a domestic partner with your city or accessing healthcare benefits through domestic partnership registration, speak with your HR department or consult the relevant city ordinances.

Unite health care domestic partner form