Domestic partnership criteria.
Columbus City Codes § 229.02
in effect229.02 - Domestic partnership criteria.
To establish a domestic partnership, two (2) individuals must file a declaration of domestic partnership with the Columbus City Clerk affirming that they meet the following eligibility requirement:
Share with another adult a government-issued marriage license whether recognized by the State of Ohio or not;
OR all of the following requirements:
(1) Are not currently married to another adult as recognized by Ohio law besides the adult with whom the domestic partnership is being established; and
(2) Are not legally separated from another person either under statutory or common law; and
(3) Shares responsibility for each others' common welfare; and
(4) Are at least eighteen (18) years of age and mentally competent to consent to contract; and
(5) Are financially interdependent, as demonstrated by at least four (4) of the following:
• Joint ownership of real estate property or joint tenancy on a residential lease; or
• Joint ownership of an automobile; or
• Joint bank or credit account; or
• Joint liabilities (e.g., credit cards or loans); or
• A will designating the interdependent adults as primary beneficiaries; or
• A retirement plan or life insurance policy beneficiary designation form designating the interdependent adults as primary beneficiaries; or
• A durable power of attorney signed to the effect that the two (2) interdependent adults have granted powers to one another.
(Ord. No. 1584-2012, § 1, 7-30-2012)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2ADCO_CH229DOPARE_229.02DOPACRFetched: 10/27/2026