Benton ready for domestic partnershipsBenton ready for domestic partnerships By Theresa Hogue Gazette-Times reporter County workers say everything is set to start registering couples Same sex couples who found their plans to register as domestic partners in January delayed by a judge, are likely to be lining up at the Benton County Courthouse this morning for a historic chance to have their relationships legally acknowledge by the state. On Friday, a federal judge reversed his earlier decision and allowed same-sex couples to register as domestic partners in Oregon. Gay couples who register as domestic partners will be able to file joint state tax returns, inherit each other’s property and make medical choices on each other’s behalf, along with a host of other state benefits given to married Oregonians. Benton County Clerk James Morales and his Records and Elections Division staff have been preparing for the domestic partnership changes since the legislature passed the law last year. The process for registering as domestic partners is slightly different than applying for a marriage license, Morales said, because the couple does not have to apply and then go through a formal ceremony, but instead simply fills out a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form. Morales expects his staff to be extra busy now that the registration process is going forward. “As far as numbers go, I have no idea, but I do anticipate a bit of a rush the first week, and the next few weeks to come after that.” Because elections staff are not as busy in February, they’ll be asked to help out in the records office. Staff have also been dealing with property tax appeals, dog licensing and changes to marriage statutes, which requires bride and groom to declare what last name they’ll be taking after the marriage. Same sex couples wishing to register as domestic partners in Benton County can go to the Records and Licenses Office, located in the basement of the Benton County Courthouse, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They must fill out a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form, and then sign it in front of a notary. Benton County is one of only a few Oregon counties that provides a notary on staff. In other counties, couples will have to take their filled out form to a notary and then bring it back to the clerk. The cost of registration is $50, plus an additional $5 per signature for the notary service. The $50 is divided between a domestic violence fund and the county. The couple will receive a copy of the declaration of domestic partnership, as well as a commemorative certificate. Additional certified copies of the declaration can be purchased for added fees. For more information, CLICK HERE |