FAQs • Bloomfield Township, NJ • CivicEngage

I entered into a domestic partnership before New Jersey’s Civil Union Act took effect. Is my domestic partnership still valid if we elect not to enter into a civil union?: Yes. Your domestic partnership is still
valid as it was entered into under the law in place at the time. However,
you continue to have only the rights afforded to domestic partners and not the
full rights of married couples as are given to civil union couples.

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Vital Statistics- Domestic Partnership Records

1. I entered into a domestic partnership before New Jersey’s Civil Union Act took effect. Is my domestic partnership still valid if we elect not to enter into a civil union?: Yes. Your domestic partnership is still
valid as it was entered into under the law in place at the time. However,
you continue to have only the rights afforded to domestic partners and not the
full rights of married couples as are given to civil union couples.

2. Is my domestic partner able to assume my last name after we register our partnership?: No. There is no basis to recognize the
assumption of the partner’s last name. A legal name change must be filed with
the courts and an original copy of the final judgment presented to the Office
of Vital Statistics and Registry.

3. Is it true that as of February 19, 2007, when New Jersey’s Civil Union Act took effect, only same-sex or opposite-sex couples 62 years of age or older can register domestic partnerships?: Yes. As of February 19, 2007, domestic
partnerships can only be established by couples 62 years of age or older,
regardless of whether they are a same-sex or opposite-sex couple.

4. If I am in a domestic partnership and want to enter into a civil union with the same partner, do we need to terminate the domestic partnership before applying for our civil union license?: No. Domestic partners who wish to enter
into a civil union with the same person do not need to terminate their domestic
partnership. Once they have entered into the civil union, their domestic
partnership will automatically terminate if it was registered in New Jersey. If
it was registered outside New Jersey, the laws of that state would determine
the validity of the domestic partnership following the civil union.

5. If I was previously registered in a domestic partnership and neglected to legally terminate it when we ended our relationship, must I terminate that domestic partnership before entering into a civi: Yes. If the domestic partnership with a
different partner was not legally terminated, or was not terminated by the
death of the previous partner, you must terminate the domestic partnership
before entering into a civil union with someone else.

Information regarding benefits can be found at
the https://nj.gov/treasury/pensions/.