The Statement of Domestic Partnership is the City of Boston form on which two people declare to the Office of the City Clerk that they are domestic partners. Both partners give their names and dates of birth, confirm a set of declarations under the pains and penalties of perjury, and list any dependents. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the City publishes the original PDF at boston.gov, and the form is filed at City Hall, at the City Hall to Go truck or by mail.
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What is Statement of Domestic Partnership – Boston, MA?
The Statement of Domestic Partnership is the City of Boston, Office of the City Clerk, form in which two people jointly declare, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that they are each other's domestic partner and meet the listed conditions.
By signing, the partners declare that they:
- share basic living expenses;
- assume responsibility for each other's welfare and for the welfare of any dependents;
- are at least eighteen (18) years old;
- are competent to enter into a contract;
- are each other's sole domestic partner;
- are not married to anyone, nor related to each other by blood that would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
- will notify the Office of the City Clerk of any changes in the status of the partnership.
The form also records the date the partners became each other's domestic partner and, if applicable, the dependents of the family. It ends with a City of Boston Certification block, a statement that a true copy of the original document was filed in the Office of the City Clerk, attested by the City Clerk.
The City Clerk's page explains that a certified copy of the partnership is available for a separate fee, and that approved applicants receive an official copy by mail. The form asks for each partner's date of birth only to identify the partners: it is a declaration of partnership, not a record of anyone's birth.
Who needs to file Statement of Domestic Partnership – Boston, MA?
Two people in a relationship who want to file a domestic partnership with the City of Boston use this form, and both must sign it.
To file, each of you must be able to make all of these declarations:
- You share basic living expenses.
- You are responsible for each other's well-being and for the well-being of any dependents.
- You are both at least 18 years old.
- You are both mentally capable of entering into a contract.
- You are each other's only domestic partner.
Do not use the form if either of you is married to anyone, or if you are related to each other by blood in a way that would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
If your family includes dependents, the form has a line for them, and the City Clerk's page says to complete and print a separate form listing all dependents. Once you file, you agree to tell the Office of the City Clerk if your relationship status changes.
When to file Statement of Domestic Partnership – Boston, MA
File the statement when you and your partner are ready to register your domestic partnership with the City of Boston. Neither the form nor the City Clerk's page sets a filing deadline.
The form asks for the date you became each other's domestic partner, so have that date before you start. Once the partnership is filed, you must notify the Office of the City Clerk of any change in its status; the form lists this among the declarations you make.
The City Clerk's page says that if your filing is approved, the City mails you an official copy of your partnership within 10 business days.
Documents you need
- The separate dependents form from the City Clerk's page, completed and printed, only if you have dependents to list.
- Payment for the filing fee, and for a certified copy if you want one: by mail or at the City Hall to Go truck, a check or money order payable to the City of Boston.
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope, only if you file by mail.
How to fill out Statement of Domestic Partnership – Boston, MA
Enter the first partner's name
In the first "We," line, write the last name, first name and middle initial (MI) of one partner. Then enter that partner's date of birth in the three spaces for month, day and year.
Enter the second partner's name
After "and," write the other partner's last name, first name and middle initial. Enter that partner's date of birth in the same way.
Read the declarations together
Both partners read the list that follows "DECLARE THAT": shared living expenses, responsibility for each other and any dependents, age 18 or older, competence to contract, sole domestic partner, not married or related by blood in a way that bars marriage in Massachusetts, and notice of changes to the City Clerk.
Enter the partnership start date
On the line "We became each other's domestic partner on," enter the date in the three spaces for month, day and year.
List your dependents
If applicable, write the dependents of your family on the line beginning "Our Domestic Partnership is a family which includes the following dependent(s)." If you have dependents, also complete the separate dependents form the City Clerk's page describes.
Sign, print names and date
Each partner signs, prints their name and enters the date on their own line. The perjury statement above the signatures applies to both partners.
Add mailing address and telephone
Write the partners' mailing address and a telephone number on the last line of the form.
Leave the City Certification blank
The City of Boston Certification block, with the attestation line for the City Clerk, is for the City to complete; do not fill it in.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, birth dates, the partnership date and both signature blocks. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, have both partners sign, and prepare your payment as described under How to submit.
How to submit Statement of Domestic Partnership – Boston, MA
The City Clerk accepts the completed, signed statement in person at City Hall, at the City Hall to Go truck, or by mail.
- In person: City Clerk's Office, 1 City Hall Square, Room 601, Boston, MA 02201. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Payment in person can be cash, a debit card, or a check or money order made payable to the City of Boston.
- City Hall to Go truck (drop-offs only): staff forward your application and payment to the City Clerk. The truck accepts only checks or money orders made payable to the City of Boston.
- By mail: send your information and payment to Room 601, ATTN: Domestic Partnerships. The City Clerk's listed address is 1 City Hall Square, Room 601, Boston, MA 02201-2014. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. By mail, the City takes a check or money order made payable to the City of Boston.
A filing fee applies, and a certified copy of the partnership carries a separate fee. Ask the City Clerk's Office for the current amounts. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing when either partner is married to someone else, or when you are related by blood in a way that would bar marriage in Massachusetts; the form declares neither applies.
- Submitting the statement with only one partner's signature; the form has a signature, printed name and date for each partner.
- Leaving out dependents, or not completing the separate dependents form the City Clerk's page asks for when you have dependents.
- Mailing cash or a debit card payment; by mail the City takes only a check or money order made payable to the City of Boston.
- Dropping the application at the City Hall to Go truck with cash; the truck takes only checks or money orders payable to the City of Boston.
- Mailing the application without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
- Paying only the filing fee when you also want a certified copy, which has its own separate fee.
- Treating City Hall to Go as a service that approves the filing; it only accepts drop-offs and forwards them to the City Clerk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Statement of Domestic Partnership in Boston?
It is the City of Boston form on which two people declare to the Office of the City Clerk that they are domestic partners. The partners give their names and birth dates, make the listed declarations under the pains and penalties of perjury, and list any dependents.
Is the Statement of Domestic Partnership a Boston birth certificate?
No. The form is a declaration of domestic partnership filed with the City Clerk. It asks for each partner's date of birth only to identify them, and it does not record or replace a birth certificate. This page covers only the domestic partnership form.
Who can file a domestic partnership in Boston?
Two people who share basic living expenses, are both at least 18, are competent to enter a contract and are each other's only domestic partner. Neither may be married to anyone, and you may not be related by blood in a way that would bar marriage in Massachusetts.
Where do I file the domestic partnership form in Boston?
Bring it to the City Clerk's Office, 1 City Hall Square, Room 601, Boston, MA 02201, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also drop it off at the City Hall to Go truck or mail it to Room 601, ATTN: Domestic Partnerships.
Is there a fee to file a domestic partnership in Boston?
Yes. A filing fee applies, and a certified copy of the partnership costs extra. In person you can pay with cash, a debit card, or a check or money order payable to the City of Boston; by mail, use a check or money order. Ask the City Clerk's Office for current amounts.
How long does it take to get my domestic partnership copy?
The City Clerk's page says that if your filing is approved, the City mails you an official copy of your partnership within 10 business days. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you file by mail.
What if my domestic partnership status changes?
You must notify the Office of the City Clerk. The form lists this among the declarations both partners sign: you will tell the City Clerk of any changes in the status of your domestic partnership.
Do I have to list dependents on the form?
Only if applicable. The form has a line for the dependents your partnership includes, and the City Clerk's page says that if you have dependents you also complete a separate form listing all of them.
Can I fill out the Boston domestic partnership form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Boston and does not file the form; you file it with the City Clerk in person, at City Hall to Go or by mail.
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