Westchester County became the largest jurisdiction in the state outside of New York City to implement a domestic partner registry. On Sept. 23, 2002, the Board of Legislators approved the establishment of the registry, and County Executive Andy Spano has signed the bill into law. By the end of November, Westchester will join Albany, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester and East Hampton in allowing domestic partners, both gay and straight, to register their relationships.

Under the law, couples who wish to register as domestic partners will visit the County Clerk’s office where they will pay a reasonable fee and complete an affidavit attesting they meet the qualifications. Among other requirements, the partners must be at least 18 years old, unrelated by blood and sharing a common household. If the partnership ends, the partners must notify the County Clerk’s office in a timely manner. Persons are eligible to register if they live in the county or at least one partner is employed by the county government.

Each person registering will receive a certificate that can be used when applying for benefits, such as health and life insurance, available for domestic partners. The law also requires a registered partner be entitled to the same rights of visitation accorded to spouses, next-of- kin or family members at any correctional facility, hospital, nursing home or health care facility located within Westchester County.

Because the Domestic Partner Registry does not confer any tangible benefits, and registries across the country are largely untested as to just how much legal recognition they offer, it is important lesbian and gay couples prepare wills, health care proxies and other partnership protection documents. Two sources for information are the National Center for Lesbian Rights (www.nclrights.org) and the Human Rights Campaign FamilyNet (http://www.hrc.org/familynet). Laura Newman can be reached at 914-995-5742 or Lan5@westchestergov.com.