City releases cost to become a domestic partner in Orlando

Domestic partner registry in Orlando will set couples back 30 bucks.

City commissioner Patty Sheehan said staff released the pricing Dec. 2. $30 covers the basic registration, plus it costs $5 for an extra copy, $10 for termination and $10 for amendment, such as a change of name or address.

â┚¬Å”It goes in effect thirty days after passage, which will be January 12,â┚¬Â Sheehan said.

There are two upcoming public hearings on the registry: Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, with a vote expected Dec. 12. Both hearings start at 2 p.m. in city hall.

The ordinance would establish the domestic partner registry, which defines domestic partnership, outlines the registration process and provides an overview of protections provided within a domestic partnership that has been recognized by the city of Orlando. Those protections include hospital visitation, rights to health care decisions, correctional facility visitation, rights to funeral/burial decisions, guardianship and the right for both domestic partners to participate in the education of their children.

â┚¬Å”I think [the vote's] going to be unanimous,â┚¬Â Sheehan said, adding that the registry only covers  5 of the 1200 rights legally married couples receive, but â┚¬Å”they're the important ones, the ones we always hear the heartbreaking stories about, like hospital visitation and funeral arrangements.â┚¬Â

She said once the registry is approved, the city's work is not complete.

â┚¬Å”We're going to work with hospitals and funeral directors to communicate what this ordinance means,â┚¬Â Sheehan said. â┚¬Å”The city's committed to not only passing this but making sure everyone understands it as well.â┚¬Â

Attorney and LGBT advocate Mary Meeks said community members are encouraged to attend the upcoming hearings and show support for the registry by wearing red and speaking in favor of the ordinance's passage.