Domestic Partnership Registry

The City of East Lansing’s Domestic Partnership Registry, administered by the East Lansing City Clerk’s office, will allow for the lawful recognition of domestic partnerships under East Lansing Ordinance No. 1305 (PDF). The ordinance, adopted by the East Lansing City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, furthers the City of East Lansing's long-standing interest in cultural diversity and equal treatment by establishing a mechanism for the public acknowledgment, celebration and documentation of domestic partners who cannot legally marry or choose not to marry.

The new ordinance defines domestic partners as two persons:

Who declare that they are in a relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment
Who share the common necessities of life
Who are not related by blood in a manner that would bar marriage in the State of Michigan
Neither of whom are married or in any other domestic partnership
Who are at least 18 years of age and otherwise competent to enter into a contract

Filing for a Declaration of Domestic Partnership

The Domestic Partnership Registry is optional and is open to anyone, regardless of their residency, who would like to make a declaration of domestic partnership. To file for a Declaration of Domestic Partnership in the City of East Lansing, partners are required to complete and sign the Declaration of Domestic Partnership Form (PDF). The form must also be signed by two witnesses, notarized by a notary public. The City Clerk staff can serve as both the notary public and witnesses.

Copies of the form can then either be retained by the partners or submitted to the East Lansing City Clerk, who will file it and provide two copies of a certificate of domestic partnership.

Procedure for Declaring a Domestic Partnership Remotely

Applicants desiring to remotely file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the City of East Lansing may do so by simply downloading the form and completing it, along with having it witnessed and notarized. The completed form can then be mailed with a check to 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823, marked to the attention of the City Clerk OR the completed form can be scanned and emailed to cityclerk@cityofeastlansing.com. Payment can then be accepted over the phone, (517) 319-6872, by credit card. The completed form with registration number and receipt will be returned to the applicants as proof of registration. A copy will also be retained by the City for its official records.

Appointments

Couples should call ahead to schedule a time with the City Clerk's office at (517) 319-6914 so that staff can plan for as much time as is desired.

Filing Fees

A filing fee for residents and non-residents will be applied. No additional fee will be charged for filing a termination of domestic partnership statement.

Resident: $20
Non-resident: $30

Family & Friends

Couples are welcome to bring family members and friends to witness the signing the Domestic Partner Certificate.

Termination of Domestic Partnership

A domestic partnership is terminated pursuant to Sec. 22-54 when at least one of the partners signs and notarizes a Termination of Domestic Partnership (PDF), saying that the partnership has ended. If the declaration of domestic partnership was filed with the City Clerk, the notice must be filed with the Clerk to be valid. If one partner does not sign the notice, the Clerk shall mail a copy of the notice to the last known address of that domestic partner.

Many people today share a life as families in enduring and committed relationships apart from marriages. Some are lesbians, some are gay males, some are bisexual persons and some are heterosexual persons.

The City of East Lansing has an interest in strengthening and supporting all caring, committed and responsible family forms. The City has also long recognized the importance of cultural diversity and equal treatment and, toward that end, has adopted a human rights ordinance which protects its citizens from discrimination based on, among other things, marital status and sexual orientation.

This domestic partnership ordinance furthers the City of East Lansing's interest in families and in cultural diversity and equal treatment by establishing a mechanism for the public expression, sanction and documentation of the commitment reflected by the domestic partnership, whose members cannot legally marry or choose not to marry. It provides appropriate public recognition of these relationships.