8001.1 To establish a domestic partnership and to qualify for benefits under the Act, two (2) persons shall submit a single application for registration to the Registrar.

8001.2 Both persons seeking domestic partner status shall appear in person and execute the application form, and each person shall affirm under penalty of perjury that:

1. (a) Each person is at least eighteen (18) years of age and competent to contract;
2. (b) Each person is the sole domestic partner of the other person;
3. (c) Both persons share a mutual residence;
4. (d) Each person is not married; and
5. (e) There is not a pending termination of domestic partnership for either person.

8001.3 The Registrar may examine any applicant under oath to ascertain the names and ages of the persons desiring to register as domestic partners and any other information as required by this chapter before issuing a certificate of domestic partnership.

8001.4 An application for a certificate of domestic partnership shall not be considered final until the Registrar accepts it.

8001.5 The Registrar shall not provide a certificate of domestic partnership if the applicants fail to provide the minimum documentation required by sections 8001 and 8004, or when the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe that the applicants fail to satisfy the requirements of this chapter or of the Act. The Registrar shall state in writing the reason for denial of a certificate of domestic partnership.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 5419 (June 14, 2002).