Washington state's domestic partnership law expands the rights and responsibilities of state-registered domestic partners, including same-sex couples.

How to qualify

Under Washington state law, you can register for a domestic partnership if you and your partner are:

• A same-sex couple
• An opposite-sex couple and one partner is age 62 or older

Also, you and your partner must live together and not be closely related to one another.

To register (www.sos.wa.gov) your domestic partnership or to learn more, contact the Washington State Office of the Secretary of State at 360-725-0377.

Adding a domestic partner to your health insurance

Under state law, certain types of health insurance plans must let you add your domestic partner.

However, the plan can make you wait until the next open-enrollment period to add your domestic partner. Contact the plan to find out when it will let you add your partner.

Before your partner can enroll, he or she will need to provide proof of your registered domestic partnership.

Not sure if your plan qualifies? Call us at 800-562-6900.

Adding a domestic partner to other types of insurance

If you want to add your partner to another insurance policy, such as auto or homeowner insurance, you need to contact your insurance company and provide proof of your registered domestic partnership.