Domestic Partnership Registry

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What is a Domestic Partnership?

A Domestic Partnership refers to two individuals who maintain important personal, emotional, and economic relationships. Individuals in these partnerships are unmarried and may share committed family relationships but may also be denied certain rights if their partnership is not recognized.

How to Register

Application for the Domestic Partnership Registry can be made through the Office of the City Clerk located at 117 Herald Court Centre, Unit 211, during regular business hours 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The cost of registration is $30 to be paid in cash or check made payable to the City of Punta Gorda.

Upon completion of the affidavit, partners will receive registration cards.

Registration Forms

Affidavit forms are available in the City Clerk’s Office but can also be obtained by clicking on the links below. Please note paperwork completed in advance must not be signed until both partners appear in the City Clerk’s Office for witnessing and notarization. Be sure to bring picture identification (such as a driver’s license) with you.

Affidavit of Domestic Partnership Registration
Affidavit of Amendment to Domestic Partnership Registration
Affidavit of Termination of Domestic Partnership Registration
Partnership Registry

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FAQs

What Are Domestic Partners?

The Punta Gorda Code defines "domestic partners" as two adults who are parties to a valid domestic partnership relationship and who meet the following requirements for a domestic partnership as established in Chapter 19, Article I:

1. Each partner is at least eighteen (18) years old and competent to contract;

2. Neither partner is currently married under Florida law or is a partner in a domestic partnership relationship with someone other than the co-applicant or a member of civil union with anyone other than the co-applicant;

3. The partners are not related by blood as defined in Florida law;

4. Each partner considers himself or herself to be a member of the immediate family of the other partner and to be jointly responsible for maintaining and supporting the registered domestic partnership;

5. The partners reside in a mutual residence;

6. Each partner agrees to immediately notify the City Clerk, in writing, if the terms of the Registered Domestic Partnership are no longer applicable or if one of the domestic partners wishes to terminate the domestic partnership; and

7. Each partner expressly declares the desire and intent to designate his or her domestic partner as healthcare surrogate and as agent to direct the disposition of his or her body for funeral and burial or cremation.

All rights, privileges and benefits extended to domestic partnerships registered pursuant to this Article shall also be extended to domestic partnerships registered pursuant to domestic partnership laws in other jurisdictions to the extent allowed by law. If a conflict occurs between jurisdictions, this Article shall govern in the City.
What is the purpose of the Domestic Partnership Registry?

The Punta Gorda City Council found that a significant number of its citizens establish and maintain important personal, emotional, and economic relationships with persons to whom they are not married. To the extent not superseded or preempted by federal law, state law, or other city code or ordinance, or contrary to rights conferred by contract or separate legal instrument, registered domestic partners shall have the following rights:

(a) Health Care Facility Visitation. All health care facilities operating within the City shall honor the registered domestic partnership documentation issued pursuant to this code as evidence of the partnership and shall allow a registered domestic partner visitation as provided under federal law. A dependent of a registered domestic partner shall have the same visitation rights as a patient’s child.

(b) Health Care Decisions. This section pertains to decisions concerning both physical and mental health. Registry as a domestic partner shall be considered to be written direction by each partner designating the other to make health care decisions for their incapacitated partner, and shall authorize each partner to act as the other’s healthcare surrogate as provided in Chapter 765, Florida Statutes, and otherwise as provided by federal law. Further, no person designated as a health care surrogate shall be denied or otherwise defeated in serving as a health care surrogate based solely upon his or her status as the registered domestic partner of the partner on whose behalf health care decisions are to be made. Any statutory form, including but not limited to, a living will or health care surrogate designation in the forms prescribed by Chapter 765, Florida Statutes, that is properly executed after the date of registration which contain conflicting designations shall control over the designations made by virtue of the domestic partnership registration.

(c) Funeral/Burial Decisions. Registry as a domestic partner shall be considered to be written direction by the decedent of his or her intention to have his or her domestic partner direct the disposition of the decedent’s body for funeral and burial purposes as provided in Chapter 497, Florida Statutes, unless the decedent provides conflicting, written authorization and directions during his or her lifetime that are dated after the date of the domestic partnership registration, in which case the later dated authorization and directions shall control.

(d) Notification of Family Members. In any situation providing for mandatory or permissible notification of family members, including but not limited to notification of family members in an emergency, "notification of family" shall include registered domestic partners.

(e) Participation in Education. To the extent allowed by federal and state law, and in a manner consistent with any applicable court orders, agreements or contracts, a registered domestic partner shall have the same rights as a parent to participate in the education of a dependent of the registered domestic partnership in all educational facilities located within or under the jurisdiction of the City. Any right to participate in the education of a dependent of the registered domestic partnership shall be exercised consistent with applicable policies and procedures of the Charlotte County School District.

Nothing in this Article shall be interpreted to alter, affect, or contradict city, county, state or federal law. This registry shall not be construed as recognizing or treating a domestic partnership as a marriage nor shall it be construed as creating any third party rights or actions nor shall anything in this Article be construed to impose liability upon a domestic partner for any expenses of his or her domestic partner.

A registered domestic partner may enforce the rights under this Article by filing a private judicial action against a person or entity in any court of competent jurisdiction for declaratory relief, injunctive relief, or both, or such other remedy as may be legally available to them.
What does “mutual residence” mean? What if we own more than one house?

The City Code defines "mutual residence" (excerpted below) and does not require that the couple only own one house.

Mutual residence means a residence shared by the registered domestic partners; it is not necessary that the legal right to possess the place of residence be in both of their names. Two people may share a mutual residence even if one or both have additional places to live. Registered domestic partners do not cease to share a mutual residence if one leaves the shared place but intends to return.
Where do we go to register?

The Punta Gorda City Clerk is responsible for administering the Registry. The City Clerk’s Office is located in City Hall, 326 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida.

You do not need to be a resident of the City of Punta Gorda to register. However, the Registry is only applicable to facilities located within Punta Gorda City limits.
When can we come to register?

The Domestic Partnership Registry Ordinance was adopted on April 2, 2014. Registration will begin Monday, April 21, 2014 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) and will continue thereafter. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 941-575-3369.
What is the cost of registering a Domestic Partnership?

The initial registration is $30.00. This is payable in cash or a check made payable to the City of Punta Gorda and must be submitted at the time of registration. If your registration needs to be amended in the future, the cost to amend the registration is $30.00. The cost of terminating the Domestic Partnership Registry is $30.00.
Do you have to register in person? Why?

Yes, both partners must come to the City Clerk’s Office together in person to register. The City’s Domestic Partnership Registry Affidavit requires specific formalities with respect to being witnessed and notarized and the Clerk’s staff is trained to ensure that the Affidavit is completed correctly.
Do we need to complete the domestic partnership registry affidavit before coming to the City Clerk’s office?

No, we have provided the sample form on the City’s website on the City Clerk’s main page for your information and review, but it should not be signed until you and your partner come to the City Clerk’s Office in person.

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