Washington to convert same-sex domestic partners into married couples
Feb 17, 2014, 12:58 PM | Updated: 1:45 pm
Washington state plans to convert thousands of same-sex partners into married couples on June 30, if they haven't gotten married on their own or dissolved their union by then. (AP file)
(AP file)
Washington state plans to convert thousands of same-sex partners into married couples on June 30, if they haven’t gotten married on their own or dissolved their union by then.
“All the domestic partnerships that were validly filed before June 30, 2014 will be converted to marriage unless one of the partners is 62 years or older, or if they’re in the process of terminating, they won’t be converted,” says Pam Floyd with the Washington Secretary of State’s Office.
The Seattle Times reports this change is the final piece of the state’s same-sex marriage law. But it’s a provision many couples are unaware of and some may not even like.
Some couples may have broken up years ago and are now married illegally to other people. Some live in other states where their partnerships are not recognized and dissolution is not possible.
By mid-to-late March, the Secretary of State’s Office plans to send out notices to those in the domestic-partnership registry, alerting them to the pending change.
As of Friday, an estimated 6,500 same-sex couples remained in the state registry.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
