Not an official copy.
Tumwater, WA
Ordinance No. 099-046
AN ORDINANCE amending Title 5 of the Tumwater Municipal Code by adding a new Chapter 5.60, Domestic Partnership, providing for a voluntary program of registration of domestic partnerships with the Department of General Services, for the issuance by the Department of General Services of "Certificates of Registration of Domestic Partnership," and establishing filing fees in connection therewith.
WHEREAS, significant changes in our society have resulted in the creation of diverse living arrangements and the development of an expanded concept of the family unit; and
WHEREAS, many of these living arrangements involve long-term committed relationships between unmarried persons; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tumwater recognizes that persons in such a relationship may regard themselves a family unit; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tumwater recognizes that families and other long term committed relationships foster economic stability and community bonds; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tumwater has an interest in strengthening and supporting committed and responsible families and long term committed relationships, regardless of sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, there is presently no means in Tumwater and Thurston County for unmarried persons involved in long term relationships to make official record of their relationship; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tumwater can provide a means whereby two persons can voluntarily register their acknowledgement that such a relationship exists between them; and
WHEREAS, the registration program provided for in this ordinance is not intended to create any new or different legal rights or responsibilities, or to itself create or evidence any contractual relationship or obligations between the individuals who participate in the registration program and such registration may later be voluntarily terminated by a similar dissolution process with the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUMWATER, STATE OF WASHINGTON, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Title 5 of the Tumwater Municipal Code is hereby amended to include a new Chapter as follows:
"DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRATION"
Sections:
5.60.010 Registration of Domestic Partnership
5.60.020 Certificates of Registration of Domestic Partnership
5.60.030 Dissolution of Domestic Partnership
5.60.040 Filing Fees
5.60.050 Public Records
5.60.010 Registration of Domestic Partnership.
The Department of General Services is authorized and directed to provide for a voluntary program of registration and dissolution of domestic partnerships. The General Services Department shall provide forms for these processes. Such Registration of Domestic Partnerships shall require both registrants to certify that they consider themselves to be domestic partners and that:
a. Neither of them are married;
b. They are in a relationship of mutual support, caring, and commitment;
c. They are each eighteen years of age or older;
d. They are not related in blood closer than would bar marriage in the State of Washington; and
e. They are each other's sole domestic partner; and
f. They are both residents of Thurston County at the time of registration.
5.60.020 Certificates of Registration of Domestic Partnership.
The General Services Department, upon receipt of a fully executed "Registration of Domestic Partnership" form and payment of the appropriate fee, shall issue to the two persons who have applied for registration a "Certificate of Registration of Domestic Partnership."
5.60.030 Dissolution of Domestic Partnership.
The General Services Department, upon receipt of a fully executed "Dissolution of Domestic Partnership" form and payment of appropriate fee, by a Tumwater domestic partnership registrant, shall file and note the termination of the domestic partnership within the Department's registration records.
5.60.040 Filing Fees.
The filing fees for the Certificate of Registration of the Domestic Partnership and for the Dissolution of the Domestic Partnership will be as established by Resolution of Fees by the City Council.
5.60.050 Public Records.
The Department of General Administration shall maintain adequate public records of the registration and dissolution of domestic partnerships filed pursuant to this ordinance.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5) days after passage, approval and publication as provided by law.
ADOPTED this 21st day of December, 1999.
CITY OF TUMWATER
______________________________
Ralph C. Osgood, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Gayla L. Gjertsen, Clerk / Treasurer
PUBLISHED: __________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
Patrick L. Brock, City Attorney