Below are the U.S. states that allow gay domestic partnerships (also see the list of places where gay partnerships are legal around the world).
California:
- California law grants domestic partnership to same-sex couples that meet the following criteria:
- Are at least age 18, unmarried, and not in another domestic partnership.
- Share a residence.
- Agree to be jointly responsible for one another's basic living expenses.
- Not be related in a way that would prevent them from legally marrying one another under California law.
- Benefits of Domestic Partnership Under California Law:
- tort claims for spouses of injured or deceased people, including negligent infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death.
- Stepparent adoption.
- Continued health coverage for domestic partners and their dependent children upon the death of a covered state or local government employee.
- Death benefits and survivors' allowances for covered domestic partners in San Francisco (and San Mateo County if approved by its county board of supervisors).
- Health care decision-making on behalf of patients in some circumstances.
- Domestic partnership coverage options that group health care and disability plans must offer employers and associations whose plans cover spouses.
- Family and bereavement leave.
- Conservatorship, property transfer, revocation of bequests, statutory wills, and some estate administration rules.
- Personal income tax deductions for health insurance costs.
- Unemployment eligibility when an employee quits a job to accompany a relocating domestic partner.
- Disability claims-filing authority on behalf of incapacitated partners.
District of Columbia (D.C.):
- Benefits of Domestic Partnership Under District of Columbia (D.C.) Law:
- Hospital visitation rights.
- Domestic partnership registry in the mayor's office.
- Health insurance coverage for partners of district government employees.
- Family or bereavement leave.
Hawaii:
- Benefits of "Reciprocal Beneficiary" Relationships Under Hawaii Law:
- Any two unmarried people who are legally prohibited from marrying under state law (i. e., close relatives and same-sex couples) can register and qualify for some benefits that were previously available only to married couples.
- Hospital visitation privileges.
- Authority to sue for wrongful death.
- Family and bereavement leave.
- Treatment as spouses under some inheritance laws.
Maine:
- Benefits of Domestic Partnership Under Maine Law:
- Health care coverage.
Oregon
- By state law, Oregon domestic partners are granted all the privileges, immunities, rights and benefits given to married couples in the State.
Washington:
- Benefits of Domestic Partnership Under Washington State Law:
- Hospital visitation privileges.
- Authority to authorize autopsies and organ donations in case of death.
- Inheritance rights.
- State employee partnership health benefits.
- State employee partnership pension benefits.
