Registered Partnership The Scandinavian Approach Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden © October 27, 2005, Demian Registered Partnerships are a relatively recent phenomenon. They are not the same as legal marriage, however, they provide far more than just symbolic significance. Most of these Partnerships offer similar benefits to legal marriage. However, most (as yet) do not allow joint adoption. Nor are the state churches required to marry the couples, although many do so. At least one partner must be a citizen of the issuing country. Only The Netherlands allows a “temporary resident” to apply. In the Netherlands, about 9,500 couples have registered, as of July 2000. Some of these countries (at least Denmark, Norway and Sweden) recognize each other’s partnership registration. The registrations are not recognized outside of these countries. Denmark passed legislation, on May 20, 1999, finally allowing Registered Partners to adopt each other’s children. While Denmark was the first nation in the world to establish Registered Partnerships, adopting children was withheld. The updated law, effective July 1st, 1999, still does not allow Registered Partners from adopting any child who is not their partner’s child. Countries offering Registered Partnerships Denmark — Began registering couples in 1989. This country recognizes Registered Partnerships from Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden; non-Danes may register their partnership if they have lived in the country two years; allowed to adopt each other’s children unless the child was originally adopted from a foreign country. Finland — Officially began registering couples on March 8, 2002. Partners do not have the right to adopt each other’s children. Greenland Iceland — As of April 2000, same-sex couples may adopt each other’s biological children. The Netherlands — Holland offers domestic partner status. It also offers full, legal marriage [See Netherlands Offers Legal Marriage]. Norway — Began registering couples in 1993. Sweden — Early in 2003, those registered as domestic partners may jointly adopt Swedish or foreign children. The law, enacted on June 5, 2002, also allows partners to adopt each other’s children. As of March 2003, of Sweden’s approximately 100 embassies, 21 are authorized to officiate at the registration of partnerships if one member of the couple is a Swedish citizen. On October 20, 2005, the highest body of authority in the Swedish Church, the Church Assembly, voted (160-81) to allow same-sex couples to have their registered partnership blessed in a special ceremony in the Swedish Church. Also, on October 20, 2005, it was announced by the Ministry of Justice that, starting from the spring of 2006, civil registrars may not refuse conducting partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples. Currently, civil registrars may refuse ceremonies. One fifth of Stockholm district’s 256 registrars are not registered to perform them. Those who refuse will lose their authorisation to perform marriage wedding ceremonies. Registered Partnership were first offered by Denmark in 1989. Even though this is a simple legal document, when same-sex couples go to Copenhagen’s city hall they are asked to take the following vow — a vow which has strong ceremonial marriage overtones. Denmark’s Registration Vow As you have made an application to the Copenhagen city hall in order to get your partnership lawfully registered, your wish will now be fulfilled. With this registration you will — with few exceptions — obtain the same social security as married people in Danish society. Before performing the registration, the municipality wishes to remind you of the meaning and importance of the promise you are giving each other. Registered partnership implies in general a pledge to live together in mutual affection, helpfulness and tolerance. In recognition of this, the municipality expresses the wish that throughout your partnership, with all its changes, you will preserve the good intentions, to live together in a harmonious and meaningful fellowship. I ask you (Name), do you take (Name) to be your lawful partner? Likewise, I ask you (Name), do you take (Name) to be your lawful registered partner? After you now solemnly declared your desire to enter into registered partnership with each other, I hereby ask you to sign. Of these countries offering a domestic partnership status, only The Netherlands and Belgium also offer full, legal marriage for same-sex couples, as of November 2004. Not a Model for Family Recognition in U.S. This domestic partnership status does not work as a model for America, because implementing an equivalent legal status to marriage requires duplicating 150-to-350 laws in each state, and more than 1,138 laws on the federal level. [See U.S. Federal Laws for the Legally Married.] The whole idea is completely impractical. Further, domestic partnerships are usually not recognized outside of the issuing state. Because of the lack of portability, they create a patchwork legal status as a couple moves or vacations. While such contracts are an attempt to create equal treatment, they only reinforce a separate and totally unequal status, one we consider to be a manifestation of apartheid. [See Marrying Apartheid: The Failure of Domestic Partnership Status] © 2004, Demian For a vast survey, please see our: Legal Marriage Report: Global Status of Legal Marriage Return to: Domestic Partnership Benefits Governments that offer Legal Marriage Netherlands Belgium Canada Massachusetts (U.S. state) Spain South Africa California (U.S. state) The Sweet Corn Shop    Products that affirm self-esteem and social equality.    A smart variety of Bumper Stickers and Buttons    for political impact, plus Mugs and Teddy Bears.    Purchases help support Partners’ efforts.