Rhode Island Domestic Partnership

A domestic partnership is a relationship between two people, either same-sex or opposite sex that lives together for a specific length of time and seeks the same benefits, protections and responsibilities as other married couples.

Laws concerning domestic partnerships and civil unions vary widely by state. The state of Rhode Island recognizes same-sex marriages and other civil unions performed in other states, and does not have laws against same -sex marriages. However, to be able to receive benefits from a Rhode Island workplace that cover your domestic partner, a person must submit an affidavit proving that requirements have been met, which may require proving financial interdependence.

State employees are able to receive domestic partner coverage and same-sex spousal benefits through the state of Rhode Island. There are several requirements that must be met to be considered for domestic partnership inclusion.

Both parties of the domestic partnership must be at least 18 years of age, not be married to anyone, not be related by blood, and have lived together for a time period of at least one calendar year. The benefits offered by the state government of Rhode Island include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, as well as bereavement leave and sick time.

To qualify for these benefits, the employee and their domestic partner must complete a Domestic Partnership Affidavit and a Domestic Partner Dependent Declaration Form and have them notarized and return the paperwork to the human resource department. Parties may be required to submit additional documentation to human resources as proof of the domestic partnership.

There are also some tax considerations. If your domestic partner is not your dependent and is covered under your insurance policy, the money paying for the insurance benefit will be taxable income. By the same token, if the individual covered by the employer's health insurance plan is the domestic partners dependent as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, the money paying for the insurance coverage will be nontaxable income. A consultation with your tax advisor on this type of situation is highly recommended.