So You Wanna Be Officially Shackled...But Not That Officially: A Guide to California Domestic Partnerships (and How Long It Actually Takes)
Ah, love. It's a beautiful thing, like a perfectly ripe avocado – full of potential, brings sunshine to your life, and might involve a questionable amount of Instagram filters. But sometimes, love needs a little... paperwork. Enter the glorious world of California Domestic Partnerships!
Domestic Partnership: Not Your Mama's Marriage (But Still Pretty Sweet)
Let's be honest, weddings are expensive. Between the open bar that your aunt Linda will inevitably chug dry and the DJ who insists on playing the Macarena for the tenth time, you could be halfway to Bali on a spontaneous trip. Domestic partnerships offer a commitment ceremony minus the confetti cannons and the potential for crippling debt.
But before you rush out and buy matching "World's Best Domestic Partner" mugs (weirdo), there's a question burning a hole in your pocket (or maybe your heart, who are we to judge?): how long does this whole domestic partnership thing take?
The Impatient Romantic's Guide to Domestic Bliss (or at least a Piece of Paper that Says So)
The good news, my friend, is that becoming a domestic partner in California can be surprisingly swift. Here's the breakdown:
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In-Person Domestic Partner Power Couple: If you and your lobster (yes, that's what we're calling your domestic partner now) are chomping at the bit and have a free afternoon, you can head to the Los Angeles or Sacramento office and get registered that same day. Just imagine, you could be saying "I do" (well, sort of) by lunchtime and still have time for celebratory In-N-Out afterwards.
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The Mail-Order Matchmakers (Minus the Creepy Mustache): Feeling less "meet me at the courthouse" and more "Netflix and chill before officially chilling together"? No problem! You can file by mail. Processing times can vary, but generally, you'll be rocking your new domestic partner status within a few weeks.
Important Side Note: Don't Be That Guy (or Gal)
While the process itself might be speedy, there are a few things to sort out before you start engraving your mugs:
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Make sure you meet the qualifications. You know, the whole "not married to someone else" and "don't live in your mom's basement" kind of stuff. California Secretary of State website has all the details [California Secretary of State domestic partnership].
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Get your paperwork in order. Think of it as a scavenger hunt for grown-ups, only instead of a plastic pirate eye patch, the prize is domestic partnership validation.
So there you have it! Becoming a domestic partner in California is a breeze. Now you can focus on the truly important things, like picking out a killer domestic partnership announcement that isn't too cheesy (but maybe a little bit cheesy, because let's be real, love is cheesy and that's okay). Congratulations, crazy kids!