Domestic Partner Insurance Laws in Ohio

Ohio as a state does not recognize domestic partnerships and hence does not extend any benefits or have any specific laws regarding insurance and domestic partners. A number of municipalities, organizations and businesses offer benefits to the domestic partners of employees, however, including health insurance.

DOMA

• The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, dating from 1996, states that no local government can be required to recognize domestic partnerships, civil unions, or any other marriage-like arrangement that is not civil marriage between one man and one woman. Ohio went further and passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman in 2004.

Registries

• Despite the constitutional amendment, Toledo, Cleveland Heights and Cleveland all have domestic partner registries. Domestic partners can go to the city clerk's office, sign an affidavit stating that they are in a committed and intimate relationship, pay a fee and receive a certificate. The registries do not confer any rights with regards to insurance, however.

Cities and Organizations

• The City of Columbus and Ohio State University extend the same benefits to the domestic partners of employees as they do to married couples, including health insurance. A number of businesses and organizations operating in Ohio also offer benefits and health insurance; check with your human resources department.

Recommendations

• The Cleveland Law Library Association recommends that domestic partners set up legal contracts and agreements similar to what married couples get automatically, especially concerning health matters. Domestic partnerships can sign contracts designating each other as next of kin and giving each other permission to make medical decisions for the other if the other is unable.